The past few weeks many in our community have shared a big dose of nostalgia as the iconic Steakburger was celebrated for it over a half century of bringing fun, laughter and memories to families across Clark County. Closing on Thursday May 28th after the last ball dropped in the final hole on a sunny Northwest evening.
Crews from MAJ Development, which is owned by Mike Jenkins, a local businessman, worked over the weekend to prepare the site for demolition which began today. This project will dramatically transform a six block segment of Highway 99. Finding ways to spark this transformation has been a goal at the County for almost decade. The time is at hand.
The Condon family had tried several times in the past decade to sell Steakburger and retire. This time the right combination of factors fell into place. Jenkins had a solid national credit tenant – Panera Bread willing to set down roots with a 4300 squarefoot restaurant and drive through on the west side of the county. He has comittments from ZoomCare and Pacific Dental to occupy a second building of 4800 square feet. In addition both Taco Bell and McDonalds will have new buildings.
A third building approved for office will be 3600 square feet and opportunities are available for tenants to lease or do a build to suit. Check out the MAJ website for more information www.MAJDevelopment.com.
All this activity is spurring Fred Meyer to demolish the existing Salvation Army building and construct a new fueling station. One final piece – Dutch brothers will open a coffee kiosk on the north end of the development. In all there will be a total of seven new buildings, along with almost 20,000 square feet of new retail, dining and personal services.
A team of local contractors, engineers and designers lead by Group McKenzie has brought the development through the permitting process and you will see rapid progress on the buildings going up.
One factor not mentioned much in media coverage is the role that Clark County’s fee waiver played in bringing the costs of construction within budgets that encouraged lenders to back the project.
While we have paid proper respect to the good times of the past, expect that this development will help change the dynamics of this part of Highway 99 like the LA Fitness changed the dynamics on the West side of I-5 seven years ago. It is a harbinger of new vitality along the strip, a place that will attract both local retailer shoppers, business people and I-5 highway traffic. All of which will keep dollars flowing in our community .
Great job MAJ.
