Government

Integrus Architecture: Public works by design

Integrus seeks skilled architects, hopes to strengthen expertise

May 19, 2016

Integrus Architecture PS, of Spokane, is keeping a strong focus on public works projects, particularly those for higher education facilities. The firm is looking to build on its design expertise even as it faces a shortage of skilled architects to add to

Northwest Farm Credit reports drop in earnings

Co-op says decline due to changing loan portfolio

May 19, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Spokane-based Northwest Farm Credit Services has reported first-quarter earnings of $58.4 million, down 7 percent from $63.1 million for the 2015 first quarter. The Spokane-based agricultural lending cooperative attributed the decrease to sizable loan r

Astronauts review Fairchild's water survival training

NASA interest tied to new ocean-landing capsules

May 19, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration sent three astronauts to Fairchild Air Force Base last month to review the U.S Air Force's Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Water Survival Course, known as SERE. A recent article in the Fairch

Spokane Transit Authority plans new design for West Plains project

Changes reduce center's projected cost by $4 million

May 5, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

The Spokane Transit Authority's board of directors recently approved a change in design plans for the planned West Plains Transit Center project that has reduced its projected cost. The project originally was anticipated to have a total cost of $16.2

Graham Construction awarded $1.6 million airport project

Convenience store work also to begin this summer

April 21, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

Spokane Airports has awarded Spokane-based Graham Construction & Management Inc. a $1.6 million contract for a parking operations garage at Spokane International Airport. Work is set to begin this month. The garage is expected to include about 6,400 sq

Airway Heights ordinances invalid, appeals court rules

Unanimous opinion weighs against housing near base

April 21, 2016

Kim Crompton

A Washington state appellate court panel here has ruled that the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board acted properly when it invalidated ordinances adopted by the city of Airway Heights that would have allowed more multifamily housing near

CenterPlace Regional Event Center aims for record number of events

Valley venue attracts many outdoor functions

March 24, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

CenterPlace Regional Event Center, in Spokane Valley, celebrated its 10th year of operations last year by hosting a record 920 events, and the busy facility hopes to exceed that number by at least 5 percent this year. Owned by the city of Spokane Valley

Spokane Convention Center is off to strong start this year

Activity so far this year on pace to best a banner 2015

March 24, 2016

Though the year is still young, the Spokane Convention Center already has generated $61.9 million in estimated economic impact for Spokane-area businesses, says Spokane Public Facilities District CEO Kevin Twohig. That's far ahead of the 2015 pace in w

Airport stats show higher revenues, passenger count

Officials expect continued growth in activity this year

March 24, 2016

LeAnn Bjerken

A preliminary financial report released last month shows revenue, passenger count, and total freight all rose at Spokane International Airport in 2015 compared with 2014, again exceeding the airport's projections for the year. Todd Woodard, director o

Spokane County assessments hit record

Valuations top $40 billion; tax revenue rises 3 percent

March 10, 2016

Mike McLean

The overall property value for Spokane County reached a record level in 2015, finally breaching the earlier crest of 2009, says Byron Hodgson, the county's deputy assessor. Spokane County's total assessed value for 2015 was $40.2 billion, up from $38