New businesses are planned for the intersection of Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard and 136th Avenue in east Vancouver.
- California fast-food chain In-N-Out Burger confirmed earlier this year it was pursuing a development on the northwest corner.
- New Jersey-based Holman Automotive Group submitted plans to the city of Vancouver in February to create a Lexus dealership just north of Mill Plain Boulevard and west of the planned expansion of Southeast 139th Avenue.
- And Safeway announced this fall that it plans to close its store at the southeast corner of the intersection in January. Las Vegas-based Swickard Auto Group plans to convert the building into a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van dealership.
Construction doesn’t appear imminent for any of the three projects, however.
Mike Abbate, vice president for store development at In-N-Out Burger, said the company’s pre-development work is progressing at its Vancouver location.
“However, it’s still too early to predict an opening date,” Abbate said.
The company purchased the property in May, shortly after confirming its plans to pursue a Vancouver location. (Its first Washington location is set to open in the summer in Ridgefield.)
In April, the company proposed demolishing the old Rite Aid building currently sitting on its property. Then, the company will construct a 3,860-square-foot building with 84 indoor seats, as well as a 30-car drive-thru lane and 74 parking stalls.
Holman Automotive Group submitted plans to the city in February to convert part of the grassy fields that make up The Landing at Vancouver into a roughly 190-parking-stall Lexus dealership.
The proposal, however, required a change to The Landing’s master plan. That was approved in September, a city spokeswoman said.
The changed master plan also allows for two Lithia Motors dealerships proposed in April and a Home2Suites hotel, as well as a restaurant, convenience store, medical office and two additional car dealerships.
A Holman representative didn’t respond to a request for an update on its proposed Lexus dealership. But city records show the proposed building plan is currently under review — one of the final steps before construction.
Swickard hasn’t confirmed when it expects to begin converting the Safeway building, 13719 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van dealership still appears in city records to be in the early pre-planning phase.
Luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz’s Sprinter van is sold in several options, making it available for individuals and businesses.
