Real Estate & Construction

Lumber prices soar in Inland Northwest

Wood products costs pressure new housing market, observers say

August 27, 2020

Triggered by a series of factors, the National Association of Home Builders and member organizations across the country are alerting political figures and the public about an extreme spike in lumber prices.

Playfair Commerce Park to take next step in expansion

Warehouse is one of four in current building stage

August 13, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Playfair Commerce Park is looking to start construction on the next stage of its expansion, starting with a $3.1 million, nearly 51,200-square-foot warehouse dubbed Playfair 14, according to a permit application on file with the city of Spokane.

VOA plans new Crosswalk youth shelter in East Spokane

New CHAS medical clinic envisioned next to facility

August 13, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Volunteers of America Eastern Washington and North Idaho is planning a new Crosswalk youth shelter at 3002 E. Mission, according to a pre-development application on file with the city of Spokane. The nonprofit currently operates the youth shelter below

Low rates drive surge in mortgage, refinance activity in Spokane

INW banks, credit unions report higher volumes of activity this year

August 13, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Veteran Spokane bankers report strong mortgage growth largely in part due to existing homeowners refinancing in order to take advantage of record-low interest rates.

Beacon Hill apartment project moves ahead

Construction of 140-unit apartment complex set to start next spring

August 13, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Work on the first residential buildings in the long-planned Beacon Hill development should start next spring. Developer Ryan Buth says the 140-unit Beacon Apartments complex will be located at 4328 N. Havana, at the base of the hill and northeast of

NAC Architecture merges with Ohio firm

Combined company employs 237 people

August 4, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Spokane-based NAC Architecture has merged with a Midwest architecture firm that specializes in designing health care facilities.

A. The Journal's View: Collaboration encouraging in affordable housing issue

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July 30, 2020

Staff Report

It's encouraging that landlord and tenant representatives here are working together during the coronavirus crisis by seeking rental assistance to keep tenants in their homes during this time of widespread loss of employment and income.

Olive Garden restaurant moves forward in Valley

Company demolishes old Hong Kong Buffet eatery

July 30, 2020

Natasha Nellis

Orlando, Florida-based Italian restaurant chain Olive Garden is planning a new 7,800-square-foot restaurant near the Spokane Valley Mall, at the site of the former Hong Kong Buffet restaurant, which closed in mid-March.

Around Town

Real Estate Transactions and Other Business Moves in the Inland Northwest

July 30, 2020

Staff Report

Spokane-based Kancor LLC has purchased the 1.5-acre Bowdish RV Storage facility at 503 N. Bowdish Road as an investment. Rob Kannapien, of Coldwell Banker Commercial Schneidmiller Realty, and John Leland, of Re/Max Inland Empire, handled the transaction.

Jim Van LÃ¶ben Sels to take reins at Mt. Spokane ski park

Longtime Arbor Crest GM had stepped back earlier from family business role

July 30, 2020

Kevin Blocker

Jim van LÃ¶ben Sels is trading one passion for another. After having spent most of the past two decades as general manager at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, van LÃ¶ben Sels recently accepted a similar position at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park.