Mike McLean

Spokane-area building permit valuations climb to four-year high

City cites public works projects as contributing to 50 percent increase

February 14, 2013

The value of building permits issued countywide in 2012 rose to a four-year high, records for Spokane County and the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley show.The permit valuations for the last year in the three jurisdictions totaled $682.1 up a

Spokane Convention Center hotel waits on appraisals

Worthy says intent letter extended until June 1 as PFD studies valuations

February 14, 2013

Mike McLean

Spokane hotelier and developer Walt Worthy says a formal development agreement that would clear the way for work to start on a $50 million convention center headquarters hotel downtown is progressing slower than he had envisioned, as the Spokane is

Treatment plant aims to conserve—inside and out

Facility designed to protect aquifer, boasts energy-saving features

January 31, 2013

Mike McLean

The whole concept behind a sewer plant, such as the Spokane County Regional Water Reclamation Facility, could be considered green, says David Moss, the county's water reclamation manager, adding that the facility also boasts many green-engineered a

C&I lending in Spokane begins to rebound

Business customers look to growth in inventory, billings to back financing

January 31, 2013

Mike McLean

As the economy tentatively improves and businesses begin to increase sales and rebuild inventory, commercial-and-industrial lending also is on the rise, some lenders here say.Spokane-based Sterling Bank and the Spokane operations of U.S. Bank, a

Cheney hardware shop eyes summer move to bigger site

Jarms TrueValue hopes to sell, lease current space, move to old Ben Franklin

January 31, 2013

Mike McLean

Owner Tom Jarms says he plans to move his Jarms TrueValue Hardware store in Cheney to a larger location there this summer if he can sell or lease the building the store current occupies.The longtime hardware store would relocate roughly two to 6

St. Luke's Rehabilitation Hospital starts $7.7 million upgrade

Improvements expected to reduce energy usage by almost 40 percent

January 31, 2013

Mike McLean

St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute has launched a $7.7 million energy-services and utility-upgrade project that's expected to reduce energy consumption at its main campus by almost 40 percent, says Randy Sharshan, director of facilities and safety

Rudeen Development starts Coeur d'Alene apartment project

Rudeen Development's new construction project valued at $7.7 million

January 31, 2013

Mike McLean

The city of Coeur d'Alene has issued building permits for a $7.7 million second phase of construction at an apartment complex north of Seltice Way, on the west edge of the city.The project owner, Riverview Ventures II LLC, has started on six of

Sandpoint startup TransluSense shines at CES with glass keyboard

Glass keyboard maker expects to hire up to 130 employees

January 31, 2013

Mike McLean

Sandpoint startup TransluSense LLC enjoyed a "ridiculously successful" product debut with its glass keyboard devices earlier this month at the big International Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas, says company executive David which already had

Spalding concern acquires former furniture store site

New owner envisions ground floor retail space, upper-level living units

January 17, 2013

Mike McLean

Richmond & Bickett LLC, a development company headed by Spokane artist and commercial property owner Dan Spalding, has bought for $400,000 two downtown buildings that had been occupied by furniture stores for more than 75 years.The structures, a

Nonprofit here set to begin two senior housing projects

Values total $10 million for construction at Valley, lower South Hill locations

January 17, 2013

Mike McLean

Spokane-based Community Frameworks expects to start construction by spring on two low-income senior housing projects with a total value of $10 million, says Chris Venne, the nonprofit's finance director.One project will be the $4 million, Park a