Government

Astronauts review Fairchild's water survival training

NASA interest tied to new ocean-landing capsules

May 19, 2016

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

City Hall project goes to bid this month

$14.4 million complex to be finished by fall 2017

March 10, 2016

Mike McLean

The city of Spokane Valley expects to issue a call for contractor bids this month for its envisioned $14.4 million City Hall project, says Mark Calhoun, acting city manager. Calhoun says he anticipates the contract will be awarded in May, and constructio

Garco Construction wins $32.6 million job at Michigan air force base

Project will support rapid refueling of KC-135 planes

February 25, 2016

Mike McLean

Garco Construction Inc., of Spokane, has been awarded a $32.6 million construction contract to build a massive jet-fuel storage and delivery system at Selfridge Air National Guard base, in Michigan, says Katie Fitzpatrick, a Garco spokeswoman. The base,