New Hotel and Senior Housing Potentially Coming to North Bend

Wednesday, April 28th, during the SnoValley Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities Luncheon, Mayor Rob McFarland announced that North Bend might finally be getting a new hotel.

McFarland, prerecorded due to a preplanned trip to visit a new Grandchild, talked about the possibility that the Wyndham hotel company may build a combined La Quinta/Hawthorne Inn at the outlet mall.

The proposed five-story hotel concept includes 130 rooms, an indoor swimming pool, rooms for meetings, a rooftop bar, a small kitchen for breakfasts and be in the area that borders Bendigo Boulevard. About 40% of the rooms would be Hawthorn Inn longer stay, business class rooms and the rest of the rooms nightly La Quinta rooms.

Potential mall redevelopment could include adding several restaurants to the remaining area along with a remodel. Simon Properties, who owns the mall, wants to see how the center performs with a hotel to assess any land-use changes or improvements.

As for where the project stands right now, North Bend City Administrator Dave Miller says the developer has submitted a developer deposit of funds and a Memorandum of Understanding for all processing costs. The city expects a letter requesting a development agreement next week along with the official application to the City for the site and architectural approval.

Typically, a commercial project takes from 6 months to a year to get through all planning, SEPA and subdivision approvals (They will have to subdivide a parcel off from the Simon parcel for the Outlet Mall to transfer the property).  During these 6-12 months, the short plan (subdivision) will be approved. The site and architectural plans and construction drawings for the site and building construction will be reviewed and permitted.  An approval would be expected during the September 2021-February 2022 timeframe.  Then construction would begin on a 12-month build to completion.  That would put the hotel opening in the first quarter of 2023.

In addition, a new roundabout is planned for the intersection of Bendigo and SW Mt. Si Boulevard at the Mall entrance making mall access easier. That design is funded by a Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) transportation grant. The same regional transportation fund will fund the construction.

In answer to a question about the potential for senior housing in North Bend, Administrator Miller talked about another potential project west of the Pour House. The concept is a 60-unit mixed-use facility along the Snoqualmie River levy and North Bend Way.

During a recent Planning Commission meeting, the developer, Ambili Sukesan, spoke of her passion for helping the senior community and thinks the area along the levy would be perfect for such a facility. The design includes an Asian Indian restaurant on the ground floor and could bring more jobs and visitors to the area.

The development agreement would include a percentage dedicated to affordable housing and allow those valley seniors who wish to age in place the opportunity to do so. Since at least part of the two parcels in question are sloped and part of the flood plain, the developer and city are discussing height requirements as the applicant does not want to move forward until some concerns are addressed.

Both projects are in the conceptual, preapplication phase.