By Lance Henderson

Ebenal General has announced preliminary plans to redevelop the former Black Angus property at 165 S. Samish Way in Bellingham.

Project manager Wayne Weed said the proposed mixed-use development would be called Samish Centre.

“The napkin drawing now shows ground floor retail and about 80 apartments,” Weed said. “We hope to have amenities such as a gathering area, meeting rooms, and a spa.”

Weed said a multi-story, mixed-use building could be a “key inviting feature” to the proposed Samish Way Urban Village Sub-Area Plan, which is being considered at City Council this month.

“For years, Ebenal has been excited about the redevelopment of the Samish area,” Weed said. “Frankly, it is the gateway to Bellingham. It is the main route to WWU, downtown, and Bellingham’s waterfront. It holds the potential to be a quality and welcoming urban village and business district.”

Weed said right now, Ebenal is looking hard at financial side of the project, which is still in the design phase. He said that the Bellwether Gate Building A project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2010 and he hopes to be able to move crews from there to the Samish Centre project.