Plans for business park on Schefer property in Carnation move ahead

Development agreement for Schefer Riverfront Property was unveiled to the city council this week.

By Conor Wilson • July 20, 2023 3:31 pm

Plans to convert a vacant, 7-acre property near downtown Carnation into a commercial business park are moving towards a final decision.

A new development and purchase agreement for the Schefer Riverfront Property was unveiled to the city council this week. Approval, which could come by early August, would greenlight the project located off Larson Avenue near Tolt McDonald Park.

The Schefer property has been owned by the city since 1999. Last year, they put it up for sale on the condition that its buyer create a business park on the property.

The city council voted unanimously for city staff to begin negotiations with the Remlinger Group, a Kirkland-based real estate brokerage, in December. Remlinger offered to purchase the parcel for $2.4 million and build a new business park valued at $25 million, according to prior Valley Record reporting.

Drake Remlinger, owner of the Remlinger Group, gave a joint presentation on the agreement alongside City Manager Ana Cortez at the July 18 City Council meeting.

According to the presentation, plans include construction of a 100,000 square foot facility, featuring three buildings for office, warehouse and restaurant use. Development would also make improvements to Larson Avenue and extend the road all the way to NE 40th street. Remlinger said they’ve already had multiple tenants reaching out about the space.

Developing the property, city officials say, would bring an estimated 100 jobs to Carnation and diversify the city’s tax revenue by creating a greater sales-tax base. Extra workers would also bring more foot-traffic through downtown businesses, they said.

Councilmember Ryan Burrell, a member of the city’s economic development committee, said the project is not about the city making more money, but “reducing the burden on our tax payers and helping us weather an economic downturn” if other revenue sources come up short.

Since he last gave a presentation to the council, Remlinger has updated the design of the buildings to feature a “farm theme.” The new design, he said, will help the buildings blend in better and not become an “eye sore.”

“I think this looks great,” Deputy Mayor Tim Harris said. “And I’ll be honest, I was skeptical when I saw the initial concept. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.”