The Arc of Spokane, a nonprofit that has been based for the last two years in the former Inland Power & Light Co. building, at 320 E. Second, has bought an adjacent building occupied partly by Horizon Credit Union, says Greg Falk, Arc's executive director.

Arc of Spokane paid $569,000 for the recently acquired 5,200-square foot building at 355 E. Third, which Inland Power had also owned and had listed for sale for a number of years. Earl L. Engle and Jeff McGougan, both agents with Spokane commercial real estate brokerage NAI Black, handled the transaction.

"We share the same parking lot and signage with the building," Falk says. "We always thought that if we ever need to expand, it would make sense to have that building if we could afford it."

Arc of Spokane isn't ready, however, to expand into another building yet, as the agency likely will convert some of its single offices into double-occupancy offices before it reaches capacity in its current quarters, he says.

"We have no immediate plans to move into the building, and we hope Horizon will stay," Falk says.

The credit union's current lease expires in January, and Horizon has indicated in preliminary communications that it likely will be interested in renewing the lease at that location, he says.

Spokane Valley-based Horizon Credit Union occupies most of the space in the recently acquired building. About 1,500 square feet of floor space is vacant, Falk says, adding that Arc of Spokane likely will seek to lease out that space.

Nearly 60 of Arc of Spokane's 180 employees are based at its Third Avenue facility.

"We have a number of programs operating throughout the community," he says.

Arc of Spokane is an advocacy organization that works to enhance the quality of life and promote independence of people with developmental disabilities in Eastern Washington. Its services include job training and placement, providing social and educational opportunities, supporting community-based living facilities, and advocating for families of developmentally disabled clients.

The organization is one of 730 independent chapters of the Arc of the United States.

The nonprofit bought its two-level, 21,000-square-foot Third Avenue facility in 2009 and renovated it before moving in from two Spokane locations the following year. The total cost of the acquisition and renovation was $3.2 million.

Inland Power moved into its current headquarters building, at 10110 W. Hallet Road, on the West Plains, in the fall 2009.