Beauty treatment in store for big eyesore

A large, mostly empty building on downtown La Conner’s waterfront boardwalk could get a facelift this winter, if plans to enlarge and renovate the landmark “Lighthouse” building on First Street move forward.

Construction that will significantly alter the building that used to house Palmer’s Restaurant is planned to begin next month, with completion anticipated by next spring.

According to project manager David Elling, the building, which had been bank-owned and mostly vacant since 2010, was purchased by California businessman Michael Girdner, who is in the process of obtaining permits to begin construction.

The building was sold for $385,000, according to Elling.

Girdner bought the building after he visited La Conner and saw a promising atmosphere in the town, said Elling, who is the representative for Girdner.

“If they’re going to spend time here, they thought a project might be in order,” he said.

The newspaper has made several attempts to contact Girdner during the past week, but he has been unavailable and has not returned phone calls.

According to Elling, under Girdner’s current plans, the building will be extensively renovated, almost to a point beyond recognition.

The south end of the building will be expanded over what is currently parking, a garden and a large deck. The building will be extended to the small street-end park between the lighthouse building and the Ginger Grater and Olive Shoppe building.

To the north, the building will be extended over the area that now accommodates a large stone outdoor barbecue grill.

In addition, a second floor will be built on top, with a deck facing the waterfront.

The First Street side of the building, now occupied by the Scott Collection Gallery, will sport three more storefronts for a total of four — two new ones on the south of the existing building and one on the north with a public corridor through the center of the complex, granting access to more retail space on the channel-facing side of the building.

The plan is to add about seven new retail spaces, said Elling, noting that they have already received offers from people interested in leasing space.

“We’re trying to create a unique selective shopping experience,” said Elling, adding, “something neat and new that would complement the town, without being competitive.”

While there aren’t any definite plans for what the new retail space could look like, Elling said there would not be a sit-down restaurant.

“Maybe a small bakery, or a little deli, but there are enough restaurants already.”

Elling also said that the new retail space should be stores that are able to cater to locals as well as tourists, in order to survive the off-season months.

The second floor will contain apartments and office space.

Future development may include a structure above the parking lot to the north.

The parking lot would remain, though it would have a building over it, to meet town code requirements concerning parking.

Elling said that the new boardwalk, as well as the general feel of the town, had been major attractors for the development.

“I think there’s a strong future in this town” said Elling, “I sense a lot of excitement.”