The western gateway into Redmond will soon be marked by a new shopping center anchored by Ray’s Food Place.

Local developers Ron Lusk and Don Bauhofer are in the process of creating a site plan for the 80,000-square-foot center.

”It’s really the last piece of ground left in Redmond to do something like this,” Lusk said.

The center will be located at the corner of Highland Avenue and 23rd Street, near Redmond High School.

The developers expect to break ground in mid-July with an opening slated for spring 2005.

Lusk said he has been working on plans for the land for the past two years.

The land was originally zoned residential and Lusk said he had public hearings with the city throughout the process.

”The city has been very supportive of the project,” Lusk said.

Bauhofer said in addition to providing residents in the area with an alternative shopping venue not located on Highway 97, the site will also help mitigate traffic by funneling people on Rimrock Way past the shopping center.

Work on Rimrock Avenue is also slated to start in mid-July. The road will be pushed through Highland Avenue to connect to 23rd St.

In addition to the grocery store, Bauhofer said he is in discussions with national restaurant and fast-food chains to fill the remaining space.

No other leases have been signed, but Bauhofer said he expects to see a coffee shop and bank added to the center.

The shopping center will be called Nolan Town Center.

Kristy Hessman can be reached at 541-383-0350 or at khessman@bendbulletin.com.