Concrete work has been completed and framing is underway at the site of Catlin Commons, a new office complex in West Kelso. The building will be completed in May 2008, with occupancy slated for July. The project is owned by Catlin Investment Group – a corporation formed by Dr. Ed Laulainen of Three Rivers Eye Care and Windermere realtors Jo Ann Crayne and Sue Lantz. Schlecht Construction is the general contractor.
“It’s taken a while for things to come together,” Laulainen said, “but we’re excited to see the project start to move forward.”
Located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and West Main, the two-story, 16,000-square-foot building will feature brick veneer, energy efficient windows and reflective glass, and an open stairwell. “It’s going to be a very nice looking building,” said Larry Schlecht, president of Schlecht Construction. “We’re hoping this project raises the bar for future development in West Kelso.”
The upper floor will be occupied by Windermere Real Estate/Allen & Associates. Three Rivers Eye Care and Forza Coffee Company will be located on the ground floor. “We wanted to include something different and were lucky to be able to connect with Forza,” Laulainen said. “They are well-known in the Puget Sound area, but they are just now beginning to expand into Cowlitz and Clark counties.” The company’s website says that Forza serves “specialty coffee beverages, teas, soft drinks, smoothies, fresh pastries, sandwiches, salads and whole bean coffee.”
An additional 1,800 square feet of space is available for lease. Laulainen said the remaining space could accommodate a single office or retail outlet, or be divided into two smaller units.
Local subcontractors involved in the project include Busack Electric, Dee Masonry, Nipp & Tuck Inc., and Carlson’s Heating & Air Conditioning.
For additional information, contact Jessica Whitten at 360.636.0150