MOSES LAKE - The ASPI Group released its architectural design concept for the former Kmart building along Stratford Road.

It is now called "The Moses Lake Town Center," with between three and five separate businesses and landscaping shown in the plans, which may change.

The names on the stores are for illustration purposes, as store names won't be released until leases are in place, states Kim Foster, ASPI Group's corporate council. The building is owned by an ASPI affiliated group.

He is hoping leases are finalized quickly, to start construction as soon as possible.

Foster explains they are continuing their effort to attract national retailers to Grant Count, but have no commitments in place.

"This effort has been ongoing and, because of the lagging retail economy, has taken longer than we would have liked," he comments.

They are aiming to bring needed retailers offering items in the areas of fashion, hobby, crafts, fabrics, linens, pets and electronics.

The project also includes a 6,000-square-foot building, which he described as "perfect for a restaurant."

Potential tenants have seen the concept, which was mainly produced by architects to be given to agents. The agents can then start contacting potential tenants.

"The whole point is to turn it up a notch, so there's something more upscale and to give it a town center feel," Foster explained.

He is receiving positive reactions about the plans.

"Everyone really seems to like it," he said.

The architect, Gary Bernardo, of Bernardo Willis Architects in Spokane, has a flair for redevelopment projects, Foster said.

"The ones he's done are successful," he commented.

The site is visible from the highway and once developed, represents a calling card for Moses Lake, because it is the first thing one sees when entering town.

"It creates an entrance portal to Moses Lake," Foster explains. "It will give a great feel to the town as people pass by."

He said they don't like that the building is vacant.

"We are anxious to get this going," he said. "In the fall, we made the decision to move this project ahead."

They assembled a group of people who were represented as a force in their categories, including NAI Black, a commercial real estate company from Spokane, and architect Bernardo.

He describes NAI Black as having a handle on which retailers want to come to Eastern Washington.