CarMax Inc., a Richmond, Va.-based operator of more than 100 used-car dealerships nationwide, has started clearing a nearly 9-acre property in Spokane Valley for construction of a new superstore, which is expected to be its first in Washington state.

The largely vacant site, located at 7902 E. Sprague and also accessible from Appleway Boulevard, is just east of Dishman Dodge Chrysler.

Catherine Gryp, CarMax public relations manager, says, "We are currently mobilizing to demolish the existing structures and plan to break ground on the new building in the next few months."

Vandervert Construction Inc., of Spokane, will build the 44,000-square-foot dealership building, Gryp says. CarMax uses a national architectural firm, she says.

The dealership is scheduled to open in the spring of 2014.

City of Spokane Valley building permit information lists a value of $4.8 million for the development project. CarMax generally invests $15 million to $25 million in the development of a new dealership, including land purchase, building construction, and other costs, Gryp says.

Site plans call for displaying about 315 vehicles, she says, adding that CarMax typically hires 50 to 100 people for each of its new dealerships.

Spokane County Assessor's office data shows that CarMax bought the Spokane Valley property in February 2012 for about $3.6 million.

In June, CarMax reported that its net income grew 21 percent to $146.7 million for its fiscal first quarter that ended May 31. Its first-quarter revenue rose 19 percent to $3.31 billion.

The company says that as of May, it operated 121 used-car superstores in 61 markets in the U.S.

During a 12-month period that will end May 31, 2014, the company says it planned to open a total of 16 superstores, including the Spokane site. CarMax says it plans to open between 10 and 15 superstores a year over the next couple of years.

The business opened its first dealership in Richmond in 1993. The now-defunct consumer electronics chain Circuit City first developed the CarMax business as a division.

In 2002, Circuit City completed separation of the CarMax business, and CarMax became an independent publicly traded company. Circuit City closed its final U.S. store in 2009 after a bankruptcy filing.