Rustic gas station planned for Snoqualmie Ridge location

Published 10:04 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

It may not be as nice as eating a meal in your living room or at a sit-down restaurant, but it’s the next closest thing. At least, that’s what Brad Oberlander thinks of the Shell gas station soon to be going in on Snoqualmie Ridge.

“We’re remodeling the building right now,” said Oberlander.

The plans are currently in Snoqualmie Planning Director Nancy Tucker’s hands, being looked over and waiting to go to the design review board.

“He submitted a site plan,” said Tucker. “It has to go to the design review board.”

Tucker said she anticipates it going to the design review board in November.

The gas station will go in where the Snoqualmie Ridge Homefinding Center was located at 8030 Douglas Way, Oberlander said. The station will take up 40,000 square feet of space, with a 2,000-square-foot convenience store, deli and “all other convenience store things.”

The design of the station will fit right in, he said. Instead of a standard gas station look, the station will be a lodge with wooden beams, Oberlander said. It will be neighborhood-friendly, with seating outdoors and indoors, along with a fireplace inside. It will cater to outdoor foot traffic. The deli will serve everything from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for kids to traditional deli items. George’s Bakery in North Bend will provide fresh bakery items every morning. The gas station will also offer free coffee to all military personnel.

“I like the idea of being a family-friendly environment,” said Oberlander. “I like the upscale neighborhood of Snoqualmie.”