BAYVIEW — The face of Bayview is bound to change within the next few years.

While Goosefoot Community Fund is working on its plans to overhaul the Bayview Shopping Center, Ed and Margie Gemkow, owners of Gemkow Construction, are making a start by building an 8,000-square-foot commercial building behind Casey’s Red Apple on Howard Road near the corner of Bayview Road.

It will be a two-story building set up for retail or office space.

“This whole area is going to change,” Ed Gemkow said. “Watch it grow and be part of it.”

Gemkow’s construction company is located on the other side of the highway and as a longtime stakeholder in the area, Gemkow doesn’t make a secret out of the fact that he is a bit partial to Bayview as a business location. He is looking forward to the area seeing a revival.

“We really like it here,” he said. “It’s such a neat area.”

Centrally located and near Highway 525, the building will be easy to reach, but will also be a connector to the more rural settings southwest of the highway.

It will have a modern feel to it, sitting on the property on an angle and a friendly, warm color scheme, Gemkow said.

“It’s nice with the trees as a backdrop,” he added.

More than 30 parking spaces will be available for employees or customers.

The new building can be divided into smaller spaces, but Gemkow said he doesn’t want to break it down to spaces smaller than 1,000 square feet.

The construction is in full swing. The framers began work this week and Gemkow said the commercial space will be ready for occupancy as early as November.

However, tenants can still take part in the interior design process.

“It’s still early enough for people to have their options open,” Gemkow said.

Potential tenants can call Gemkow at 321-6414 to learn more about the project.

Michaela Marx Wheatley can be reached at 221-5300 or mmarxwheatley@southwhidbeyrecord.com.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.