Pace’s Salvage consolidates with warehouse

PETER JENSEN

E-Mail

Text Size:

tool goes here

Each week, The Bellingham Herald takes a look at an ongoing commercial construction project in Whatcom County. This week: Pace’s Salvage

What is happening?

Pace’s Salvage, a liquidator that purchases excess inventory primarily from insurance claims, is building an 8,000- square-foot warehouse at its property on Pacific Highway. The warehouse will expand company’s operations to offer larger merchandise such as couches, owner Paul Pace said. Also, the warehouse will have a loading dock and a forklift, making it easier to get goods inside.

Philip A. Dwyer | PHILIP A. DWYER THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

NEW PROJECTS
- The city of Bellingham issued a tenant improvement permit May 7 to convert a laundromat at 505 32nd St. into the QQ Li Restaurant. The project’s estimated value is $100,000.
- The city of Bellingham issued a building permit May 6 for a commercial alteration at Meridian Plaza, 171 Telegraph Road. The exterior of the plaza, home to several tenants, will be completely rebuilt. The work’s estimated value is $300,000.
SOURCES: PAUL PACE, OWNER OF PACE’S SALVAGE, BELLINGHAM BUILDING PERMITS.

Where is it?

The warehouse will be at 4084 Pacific Highway, near the Fred Meyer shopping center on West Bakerview Road.

Who is doing the work?

Pace hired Shuksan Builders to pour the concrete slab and

put up the structure’s walls and roof. Mumm’s Heating is installing two custom-made furnaces to heat the building, which is one of the last things to be done before the project can be completed, Pace said. He said he would do painting and installing bathroom fixtures such as lights and sinks himself.

How much does it cost?

Pace said the project’s total cost has exceeded $400,000, which is about 25 percent over budget. It cost $320,000 to construct the building’s shell, but increased prices for materials such as wire have added more than $80,000, he said.

Scheduled completion date?

Ground was broken on April 1, 2007. The project is scheduled to be finished by June 1, Pace said.

What is noteworthy about the project?

Pace said he’ll lose foot traffic by eventually consolidating his business locations into the warehouse, but is hoping to expand his company’s presence online through its Web site and on retailing sites like eBay and craigslist. He hopes the move will make selling his merchandise more efficient. Pace sells furniture, clothing, tools and appliances. He purchases goods that have been involved in insurance claims and resells them for half the price. This keeps his profit margins slim, making increased efficiency a must, he said.

“I don’t know exactly what the consolidation will do,” Pace said. “I’m hoping it cuts costs. I’m banking on that.”