Real Estate & Construction

Elmer Construction thrives in midsized-project niche

Contractor focuses on jobs generally under $3 million

July 20, 2017

J.W. Elmer Construction Co. has found its niche, and owner Rob Elmer says he's about as busy as he wants to be. The company specializes in commercial remodels, historical renovations, churches, medical offices, and multifamily housing, while focusing o

Waterfront condominium building to be constructed in Sandpoint

$5 million project will have 13 units near Sand Creek

July 20, 2017

Mike McLean

A North Idaho development company says it will break ground in the fall on a $5 million-plus waterfront condominium project in the Sandpoint city center, about 70 miles northeast of Spokane. The project, Sandcreek Lofts at Sandpoint Marina, will include

Spokane Arena food court expansion gets underway

Overall, about $1.7 million in improvements on tap

July 20, 2017

The Spokane Public Facilities District has begun upgrading food service areas in the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, located at 720 W. Mallon, and expects to complete the work by this fall. Kevin Twohig, CEO of the facilities district, says the changes

Dermatology clinic prepares for move to new location

Surgery center to offer outpatient procedures

July 20, 2017

Dermatology Specialists PLLC of Spokane is moving from the Providence Medical Center Building at 820 S. McClellan to 510 S. Cowley on Spokane's lower South Hill. Dermatology Specialists has been at its current location since 1987, says Charlie Reed, th

Valley library plans might receive new lease on life

City, district appear poised to extend facility agreement

July 20, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The Spokane County Library District and the city of Spokane Valley are set to amend and extend an agreement that would allow for the construction of a library at the northeast corner of Sprague Avenue and Herald Street, just across Sprague from the new Ci

Old Cheney High School converting to apartments

Historic structure will have 36 units for EWU students

July 20, 2017

Mike McLean

Seattle-based developers are repurposing the old Cheney High School building as rental housing, targeting Eastern Washington University students. The three-story building, at 520 Fourth in Cheney, near the eastern edge of the EWU Campus, will have 36 apa

Taking recreation to new heights

West Plains health complex to be completed in late '18

July 20, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The city of Airway Heights is set to begin construction this fall on its planned community recreation center. Plans for the project, which is being funded through a $13 million bond approved by voters last August, call for the construction of a two-story

Costco environmental decision appealed

Planner says finding not likely to be overturned

July 20, 2017

Mike McLean

A resident of the Camelot neighborhood, located across the Newport Highway from the planned Costco site north of Spokane, wants a more thorough environmental review of the project. Tom Cooney, a retired attorney, has appealed the county's findings-ca

Spokane-area home values, sales marching upward

Median price for first half of year reaches $205,000

July 20, 2017

Mike McLean

Home sales here are continuing strong growth both in numbers sold and in median sales prices, says Tom McArthur, a spokesman for the Spokane Association of Realtors. In the first half of this year, 3,530 homes were sold through the association's Multip

Spokane Tribe preps for industrial push

Spokanes envision 155-acre 'green' business park, solar farm next to STEP site

July 20, 2017

The Spokane Tribe of Indians is laying the ground for its next ambitious step on the West Plains-developing a 155-acre 'greenâ€ industrial park to support its goal of creating its own utility company that would generate and distribute solar energy.