Echelbarger briefs Economic Development Commission on Salish Crossing Development

Nick Echelbarger shows an old photo of the Edmonds High School main entry portico as part of his Wednesday evening presentation to the Citizens Economic Development Commission.  The portico has been in storage for many years, and will become a key design feature of the new Salish Crossing redevelopment, providing a visual gateway to the complex.
Nick Echelbarger shows an old photo of the Edmonds High School main entry portico as part of his Wednesday evening presentation to the Citizens Economic Development Commission. The portico has been in storage for many years, and will become a key design feature of the new Salish Crossing redevelopment, providing a visual gateway to the complex.

One of the most visible redevelopment projects in Edmonds is the ongoing transformation of the old Waterfront Antique Mall into the new Salish Crossing complex. The new lighting fixtures, landscaping, concrete retaining walls with embossed art and reconfigured parking are giving the area a new look and attracting considerable local attention.

But these are just the beginning according to developer Nick Echelbarger, who spent almost an hour on Wednesday evening briefing the Edmonds Citizens Economic Development Commission on what is coming over the next several months.

The former Safeway space, measuring more than 20,000 square feet, is being redeveloped into a mixed multi-tenant retail market in the southern half and a regional fine art museum in the northern half.

Retail businesses will include a craft distillery, a “grand restaurant” and an artisan beer tasting room. The 10,000-square-foot Cascadia Art Museum will focus on the work of Northwest artists such as Mark Tobey, Guy Anderson and Morris Graves. It will include facilities for lectures, education and enrichment, and will house both permanent and traveling exhibits in five galleries.

“The museum will offer state-of-the-art climate control allowing it to host exhibits that include delicate, environmentally-sensitive works,” Echelbarger said, “making Edmonds one of the few places in the region where these can be displayed.”

The building itself will feature an open, spacious interior that capitalizes on the original architecture.

“We were overjoyed to discover that Safeway had very high construction standards for their stores when this building was put up in the 1960s,” said Echelbarger. “The original arched beamed ceiling is in fantastic shape, and will remain as a key design feature in the redeveloped space.”

The exterior will offer enhanced public amenities, landscaping and walkways. A notable feature, the south-facing landscaped terrace, will add another “great outdoor space for Edmonds,” he said. The parking area will offer ample space for visitors while continuing to provide additional parking for Sound Transit commuters.

“A key design feature of the parking area will be the original Edmonds High School entry arch,” said Echelbarger. “It will be place in the southeast section of the parking area, and will provide visual and aesthetic focal point.”

The redevelopment is expected to be complete spring 2015.

— Story and photo by Larry Vogel

  1. Thank you to the developers for this GRAND undertaking……You build it, and they will COME.
    MORRIS GRAVES et al are ALIVE & WELL in Edmonds. This will be a great museum to study our greatest Northwest Artists. Just looking and studying their work will be a SCHOOL in itself. …..exactly how the Master learned, from Masters!

    We are ALL looking at the same vista that Mr. Graves saw when he lived just up the road and built his house/garden. THIS northwest spirit is alive and well.

    1. This outstanding project is being proposed by developer Nick Echelbarger, who is connected to Echelbarger Investments, LLC, as is Mike Echelbarger, who Ms. Ryder referred to in another one of her comment as a “Master Of the Universe” (which is apparently interchangeable with “you guys” when referring to those who don’t agree with her) when he recently expressed his views on the Sunset Walkway project. In any case, a non-bullying, “positive” comment from Ms. Ryder regarding the goings on in our town is greatly appreciated, although entirely unexpected. And in this case, I couldn’t agree with her more–this is a great project for our city. Thank you, Nick, and keep at least a few occasional positive comments coming, Ms. Ryder.

  2. I was told that these Echelbargers aren’t related………….and this was by someone in our City………The museum IS an excellent project I have NEVER stated that all development and ALL developers are bad……

    I guess I was right then regarding the Sunset Avenue Project………….quite a corridor……..from the Museum and I am assuming yet to be announced right across the railroad tracks and perhaps development on the waterfront in the future. I know there is a building there with some Echelbarger in an office at waterfront (Tessara sign, brown building), along with some City of Edmonds listing……Thank you Mr. Johnston for CORRECTING the mis-information I had regarding the Echelbarger LLC……..with an LLC, it is very hard to see ALL involved, which in itself is interesting

    I’m not the only one referring to many developers as Masters of the Universe because they appear to not give a ratZ you know what about our environment and the constant bulldozing, pounding, tearing down, etc. for a very short term monetary gain for a select few.

    If you guys think you are being bullied too much by people all over, perhaps it’s time to hang your hard hats up and lock down your bulldozers and give the planet a break….save some buildings/architecture and build more museums and use what we have ….for the greater good

  3. Steve– Unfortunately you are mistaken. My father, Lindsey, and I acquired Salish Crossing in 2012. Mike’s my uncle and while we have had the pleasure of working on some projects together in the past, Salish Crossing is not one of them.

    Tere, you are also correct that we had the pleasure of moving our offices to Edmonds last December…so many lost hours commuting from Edmonds/Woodway to Bothell for so long!

    Quick clarification on the museum: the museum’s primary focus will be highlighting wonderful artists immediately proceeding Graves, et al. The period from Washington Territory through 1962 is the primary aim. We certainly all appreciate the works of Graves, Tobey, etc., but think there is a broader story of Pacific Northwest art to be told. The collection is particularly strong in works from the teens, 20s and 30s.

    Thanks for your passion. People care about Edmonds with good reason. A real estate development can never fully satisfy all parties but we hope Salish Crossing helps clean up a corner of the neighborhood that’s need attention for a very long time.

  4. Nick and Tere, sorry for my mistake on the ownership and advancement of this property. Congratulations, Nick, on what I’m sure will be a terrific addition to our community.

  5. Nick Echelbarger, well I’m sorry to hear that as internationally and nationally Toby, Graves, Callahan, etc. did not get the attention they deserved in the wider art world at the time (only briefly), as they were very quickly brushed aside for the new modern abstract expressionists, and quite quickly forgotten……Yes, I agree that there is a broader story to be told, but I believe Graves and Toby…………….regardless, thank you for this cultural venture there, and I live just up the way so will be frequenting your business regularily.

  6. We had a great turn out for this meeting and we even changed to public comment rules to allow the public to ask Nick questions and make comments. Several citizens took advantage to ask and comment.

    All but one member of the public left after the presentation and missed a great discussion about tourism in Edmonds. Well you will be about to read the details in the minutes or go on the city web sight and read the report that was presented at the meeting. You can find it on the city web site. Go to the home page, then go to “Meeting Agendas” then to the “Economic Development Agenda” and you will find it as an attachment to the Agenda.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.

By commenting here you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please read our code at the bottom of this page before commenting.