EDMONDS — Development of a new Old Milltown is under way downtown.
Bellevue-based Rosen-Harbottle commercial and real estate investment firm has spruced up the Old Milltown Center. The $1.2 million in upgrades includes a facade renovation project.
“With the new design, businesses that used to be hidden by overgrown landscaping are now very visible,” said Stephen Clifton, director of economic development for the city.
Three of the new tenants for the development are operating businesses in Edmonds. Edmonds Vision Center, The Resident Cheesemonger and Las Brisas each plan July openings in their new locations.
Edmonds Vision Center is leaving its Main Street location to take a spot on the northwest corner of Milltown’s street-level side.
The Resident Cheesemonger will become The Cheesemonger’s Table when it leaves its space on Main Street and expands its offerings to include soups, salads and sandwiches plus pantry supplies. The new location will be in the former Quizno’s spot on the south end of the ground level.
Las Brisas is moving from its Harbor Square spot to a 3,600-square-foot location adjacent to the Hazel Miller Plaza park. Outdoor dining will be featured.
The city-owned Hazel Miller Plaza is set to open in June. The fountain feature is installed, the new sidewalk is poured and planting of foliage has begun. A mosaic is planned for the Dayton Street wall of the project.
Following the addition of such features as a drinking fountain and benches, a grand-opening ribbon-cutting will be held mid-June.
Planning and construction of the park cost $150,000 with about $25,000 of that tied to connecting water and electric, said Kerri Hite, city parks director.
Tenants including the barber shop and Milltown Lounge bar will round out Milltown’s street level.
While the city has not received applications from Tweedy &Popp Hardware, there is movement toward opening Edmonds Hardware and Paint in Milltown Aug. 1 on the second floor. The owners are in the process of closing their Shoreline location on Richmond Beach Road.
The new hardware store would be positioned in a different location from the former Ace Hardware store, which left Old Milltown when the weight of the paint inventory stressed the floor. That former location is being converted into office space for The Hotel Group, which owns and manages hotels.
Milltown’s completion is having an effect on Edmonds’ Main Street. As prime retail locations become available on Fifth Avenue South, other retailers are backfilling into newly vacant spots on Main Street.
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