Strong demand for warehouse space is the driving force behind a Spokane development company's plans to build its third commercial building on the West Plains in as many years. 

Spokane-based Barnes Homes Inc., which does business as Construction Services, has proposed a 16,000-square-foot warehouse structure south of U.S. 2, at 1621 S. Williams, in west Spokane.

Deacon Band, chief operating officer and project manager at Construction Services, says the warehouse project is valued at about $4 million, including a $1.9 million building shell.

Band also is part of the ownership group as an investor for the project, which is the third warehouse on Williams Lane for the company, he says. 

In 2021, Construction Services developed a $2.5 million, 5,700-square-foot office building where the company operates at 1612 S. Williams Lane. Last year, the company developed a $2 million, 12,000-square-foot warehouse, located north of the office building at 1602 S. Williams Lane.

The three projects together are valued at about $8 million. 

"We're planning on building pretty much the same exterior design as the warehouse we just did. We're just adding more square feet," Band says of the new warehouse project. "We had great success with the other warehouse and a lot of interest. Going forward with this next project, we feel confident."

The new warehouse is 33% larger than Construction Service's previous warehouse project. The property will have four tenant spaces, parking, and open space, Band says. 

Tenant interest was strong for the initial warehouse development, which was still going through the permitting process through the city of Spokane when two commercial tenants leased the full site.

The company plans to repeat the design plans for the new project, with a few minor updates. A current tenant operating at the first warehouse has already expressed interest in leasing additional space at the new warehouse, says Band.

"We made a few changes that were beneficial to the tenants and we're pushing those forward into the design of the new building," explains Band. "We've had a lot of compliments on the look and the performance of the building."

Design plans for the new warehouse project include metal siding with steel awnings over the building's three entrances. The steel siding panels feature a dark gray-blue woodgrain pattern with a velvet texture that provides a matte appearance and is made to last, he says.

"It's quite attractive and it will look the same for 30 to 50 years compared to using a cedar product that is going to fade and warp and require a lot of maintenance," Band contends. "We want what we do to look good and there's pride in that. You can't just have function, you need to have form with it."

Construction Services works with metal building materials that are sourced locally, he adds.

The planned commercial property will have more exterior space compared to the original building and will have a secured, fenced yard. The building shell will include roll-up doors large enough to accommodate heavy equipment, while the interior will have zone-controlled heating and cooling in the office areas, 22-foot ceilings and open space in the shop areas, Band explains.

A pre-development conference application for the proposed warehouse is on file with the city of Spokane.

Band says he expects the new project will take about five months to build once permits are approved. The new warehouse will have a similar construction timeline as the company's first warehouse that was constructed from June to November 2023.

On-Top Realty, a Spokane-based property management company owned by Nick Barnes, will manage the site, Band says, adding that Barnes also co-owns Construction Services.

"When we build, we're thinking about our tenants, our clients, and ourselves for future maintenance. We're fairly particular about how we do it, what kind of systems we put in to reduce headaches for everybody," he says.

The commercial center will be an ideal location for service-based companies that need minimal office space and a larger indoor shop space, Band says.

Tenants of the first Williams Lane warehouse include Vancouver, Washington-based equipment supplier Cal-Line Northwest LLC and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Dynamic Gaming Solutions LLC.

Construction Services will watch for future development opportunities on vacant parcels of land near the Williams Lane properties going forward. The neighborhood is ripe for additional commercial buildings, says Band. 

"It sure seems like there's a lot going on out here," he says, adding that recent and ongoing retail and recreation projects are helping drive interest in the area.

Construction Services also is working on a variety of residential projects in Spokane and Kootenai counties. 

The company is involved in two separate townhome-style projects that together will add 16 units in Spokane Valley. In North Idaho, the company is working on a lake house and a handful of duplexes in and around Coeur d'Alene, Band says.

Construction Services also is involved in a residential development in Medical Lake, where crews are rebuilding a handful of homes that were destroyed by the Gray Fire last year.

"We basically rebuilt half a block out there for the people who lost their homes," says Band.

Upcoming projects include an assisted-living community in North Spokane where construction is expected to begin at the start of the new year.

"Nick probably has five to 10 other things coming down the pike," Band says. "There's no lack of work for us."