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Building permit values plummeted in 2009

Downturn in commercial construction jobs follows slump in home building

January 14, 2010

The total value of Spokane-area building permits issued in 2009 fell sharply as a downturn in commercial construction followed the already slumping home-construction sector, industry observers say.Building permit values for last year in Spokane

Channeling the racing bug

January 14, 2010

Pamela J.S. Smith

Scott Eldredge grew up torn between two family professions: construction and cars. His father worked in body shops around Spokane and in California, and passed his love of automobiles on to his son. His grandfather, however, pushed Eldredge to get

Peppertree project still without funds

Hospitality project loans are 'almost nonexistent,' hotel co-owner here says

January 14, 2010

Mike McLean

Developers of the planned Best Western Peppertree Inn at the northwest corner of Third Avenue and Division Street say they haven't been able to obtain commercial loans to complete financing for the $9 million project and they are no longer that any

ISM revamps board, to hire full-time CEO

Nonprofit sees busy year as it sets up tissue bank, clinical data repository for researchers

January 14, 2010

Richard Ripley

The Institute for Systems Medicine, which just received a $675,000 grant to help establish a human tissue bank and a clinical data repository here for biomedical researchers to use in studies, also will seek a federal grant for the project, has its

GVD buys, will remodel Rodeway Inn

Project represents further emphasis on hospitality management business

January 14, 2010

Jeanne Gustafson

Spokane-based GVD Commercial Properties Inc. says it has bought the Rodeway Inn, in downtown Spokane, and plans to convert it this year to a boutique-style hotel.Gerald Vance "Jerry" Dicker, the company's president, says the planned remodeling a

Businesses here expect skating jump

Longer event, other changes portend possibility for more activity at cash registers here

January 14, 2010

David Cole

The 2010 AT&T U.S. Figure Skating Championships that start today differ somewhat from when Spokane hosted the championships in 2007, and that, say business operators here who are poised to cash in, is a good thing.This year, the event is 10 days

Greenstone to jump-start urban project

Developer wants to begin work at Kendall Yards with 70 homes, boulevard

January 14, 2010

Mike McLean

Greenstone Corp., the Liberty Lake real estate development company that has acquired Kendall Yards, says it will kick off its planned $500 million urban community this year with the first of six phases of residential units and part of a main that a

Jobs scarce for youths here

Tailored employment program sees huge demand for services

January 14, 2010

Jeanne Gustafson

Jessica Begley is looking for a full-time job that would be a springboard for her to get into the health-care field when she completes her studies at Spokane Falls Community College. For now, however, she counts herself lucky to have joined the of

Federal courthouse up for big rehab

Contractor to be sought in March for up to $50 million project

January 14, 2010

Mike McLean

The U.S. General Service Administration says it plans to make $30 million to $50 million worth of improvements at the Thomas S. Foley Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse at the southeast corner of Riverside Avenue and Monroe Street downtown.The

Experts offer advice on how to invest $10,000 this year

Annual hypothetical query spurs range of suggestions, based on differing outlooks

January 14, 2010

Personal Investing

How would you invest $10,000 in the New Year?We pose that question annually to a panel of investment experts.Returns from the selections made a year ago have been remarkable, with not one taking a dive. The leading performers focused on or in