What's Happening in Auburn, WA…

The redevelopment of an old drive-in theater in Auburn is closer to reality after winning a recommendation from the planning commission.

Inland Construction LLC of Spokane Valley applied to make changes to the development agreement between the Auburn and Robertson Property Group (RPG), which dates back to 2011. The agreement was for RPG to redevelop the site of the Valley 6 Outdoor Theater, located in northeast Auburn. However, RPG put the theater up for sale, having lost interest in developing the location.

Inland bought the property, but its principals, Scott Morris and John Fisher, said if the city were to insist upon the terms of the original agreement, they would not be able to go through with the purchase. They argued that retail has changed since 2011, plus the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is expected to make changes to its floodplain designation. They could not proceed as planned. After considering the request, the Auburn Planning Commission agreed with the developer, and sent their recommendation to the city council. Flyer printing can be used to inform residents of changes like this.

Some of the changes proposed to the original agreement include allowing mixed use horizontally integrated, meaning single-use buildings in a row, as well as mixed use vertically integrated, which is buildings with more than one use. The traditional model is someone living about the business they run. Other similar changes were also requested. If approved, construction could start by year's end.