Vandervert Construction Inc., of Spokane, is building a new Boston Pizza International Inc. restaurant and sports bar at Northpointe Plaza, in the parking lot of the ShopKo Stores Inc. outlet there.


The 5,600-square-foot structure will cost about $850,000, says Trey Scavone, a Vandervert project manager. Construction started in mid-January and is expected to wrap up in time for the restaurant to open in June, Scavone says. Currently, workers are installing interior partitions and mechanical systems, he says.


The building was designed by Russell Page Architects, of Spokane. Vandervert Developments LLC, of Spokane, bought the land for the restaurant from ShopKo Stores Inc. and is leasing that land to the restaurant.


The restaurant will be the second Boston Pizza to open in the Spokane area. The first outlet here opened last year near the Spokane Valley Mall. Both franchises are owned by Mike Vallely, of Spokane, who could not be reached for comment.


Boston Pizza International, based in Richmond, British Columbia, was founded in 1963 and now has more than 150 franchises in the U.S. and Canada. Boston Pizza outlets specialize in gourmet pizza and pasta.