PHOTO BY MEGHAN ERKKINEN

The city of Fife is selling this piece of land at the intersection of 20th Street and 70th Avenue to the highest bidder willing to build a grocery store on the parcel. Fife residents could see a grocery store within the city limits in the next two years.

Fife one step closer to getting grocery store

By Meghan Erkkinen

Fife residents may have a grocery store within two years.

That’s what the city council hopes for by offering a piece of land for sale to the highest bidder who pledges to build a store on the site. The resolution passed by the council begins bidding at $1.9 million for the 3.97-acre parcel, located on the intersection of 20th Street and 70th Avenue, next to the May

fair Place Condominium development.

The resolution requires the developer to build a store that is at least 20,000 square feet and includes produce, meat and seafood, deli, dairy, bakery and frozen foods sections.

Bids on the property are due back to the city by July 7. Once a developer is selected and an agreement is signed, the developer has about a year to prepare permits for the site and a year after that to build on the site. The developer must operate the store for a minimum of 10 years.

The city council voted unanimously for the resolution and expressed overwhelming support for the measure.

“We really are making a sincere effort to be responsive to our citizens,” said Councilmember Kim Roscoe. “I’m glad to see we’ve been able to make this work…I look forward to shopping within the city limits of Fife.”

Mayor Barry Johnson called the resolution one of several steps in the city council’s attempt to get a grocery store for Fife residents.

Councilmember Glenn Hull praised the efforts of the city staff in bringing the resolution forward.

The city has had several conversations with developers, according to City Manager Steve Worthington.

“There has been some interest (among the developers),” Worthington said. “It is not a large enough site to accommodate large

chain groceries but it is a site that has some appeal to the more entrepreneurial business person.”

Developers see the value of the site, he said. Not only is it along 20th Street – where the city council is working to promote commercial growth – but it is on the south side of the street, making it a convenient stop for

commuters headed home from work.

The city of Fife purchas-ed the parcel about eight years ago for use as a storm-

water retention and treatment facility, but because of its location along 20th Street, city officials realized the land would be better used – and would generate more revenue – as a commercial site.

The city has identified six other sites that would serve as appropriate stormwater facilities and is pursuing those opportunities.

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