Gemkow Construction in Bayview is doing its part to continue the Renaissance movement in the area as the demand for retail shopping and office space continues to grow.

The company is planning to build an expansive, two-story building off the corner of the Bayview shopping center at Howard and Bayview on South Whidbey Island.

“It’s a great spot,” said owner Ed Gemkow. “Bayview is right in the middle of everything. People want to shop here.”

Gemkow is currently going through the permitting process and plans to start building in July. The structure, designed in a Northwest style by Langley architect Mike Boyd, will accommodate a 5,000 square foot retail area on the bottom level and 3,000 square feet for office space above. Although the potential renters are currently unknown, finding some should not be a problem.

“We need great retail here,” Gemkow said. “People want to have a place to shop and a place for their offices.”

Bayview is an area longing to be improved and developed, he added. With the work of Goosefoot, the nonprofit organization that recently acquired the Casey’s grocery store building, Gemkow sees nothing but potential.

“Goosefoot is going to do a lot of upgrading,” he said. “I think this whole area is going to boom.”