Mike McLean

Spokane Public Schools mulls adding $21.4 million in construction projects

Construction-cost savings would fund two additions with $21.4 million value

August 16, 2012

Spokane Public Schools says the district is on track for bond-funded projects to come in $47.9 million below budget, and it hopes to use $21.4 million of that savings to do two projects it hadn't expected to fund with the 2009 bond measure.The a

12-story tower proposed in downtown Coeur d'Alene

$20 million plan includes apartments, retail space

August 16, 2012

Mike McLean

An Aspen, Colo.-based real estate development concern says it wants to erect a 12-story, $20 million-plus, mixed-use tower in downtown Coeur d'Alene.The company, One Lakeside LLC, was scheduled to meet with the City of Coeur d'Alene today (Aug.

Vegan restaurant, coffee shop, bar aims to fill niches

Boots Bakery & Lounge offers gluten-free pastries, organic dishes

August 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Alison Collins says people don't have to compromise taste to enjoy the vegan and gluten-free creations she serves at Boots Bakery & Lounge, a new downtown eatery, bakery, coffee shop, and bar.Collins quietly opened the restaurant in June. It's a

Axia Home Loans increases presence with Valley branch

Bellevue-based lender also nearing lease deal for Coeur d'Alene office

August 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Bellevue, Wash.-based Axia Financial LLC, which does business as Axia Home Loans and operates a small office in Liberty Lake, says it has opened a Spokane Valley office recently and is looking to open additional branches in the Inland Valley office

Sterling plans to open two new branches

Spokane-based institution also is working to consolidate Bellevue offices, services

August 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Spokane-based Sterling Bank says it plans to open new branches in Pullman and Portland, Ore., and to consolidate a branch with other services in Bellevue, Wash.The bank will open its Pullman branch in early 2013, says Marty Dickinson, Sterling's

HomeStreet Bank expands, triples lending capacity in Spokane market

Seattle bank triples its lending capacity here, moves offices to larger quarters

August 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank, which has had a small Spokane office for 20 years, is on a four-state growth tear after returning to good health through an infusion of cash earlier this year, following three years of regulatory intensive care.The

Greenstone Corp. affiliate proposes $9.5 million apartment complex at Kendall Yards

Affiliate at Kendall Yards seeks permits to build 64 units; 20 more are eyed

August 2, 2012

Mike McLean

An affiliate of Liberty Lake-based real estate development company Greenstone Corp. is proposing to construct an apartment complex with 84 living units, which would be the first rental residential units to be built within the Kendall Yards urban of

Hanna & Associates advertising agency to open Florida office

Hanna starts brand work for supermarket chain, aims for casinos there

August 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Hanna & Associates Inc., a longtime Coeur d'Alene-based advertising company, plans to open an office in Florida, which it hopes will be a launch point for expanding its services in the Southeast, says Dayne Hanna, president, CEO, and founder of the

Office tenants go bargain hunting in Spokane area

Landlords offering rent concessions to stay competitive

August 2, 2012

Mike McLean

Many commercial-property landlords here are offering rent concessions in the form of reduced rates or periods of free rent to attract and retain tenants, who are shopping the market and willing to move for better deals or more desirable space, some

Liberty Lake senior center breaks ground on cottages

Guardian Angel is adding eight two-bedroom homes to its retirement complex

July 19, 2012

Mike McLean

Guardian Angel Homes' assisted-living and dementia-care center in Liberty Lake has started work on a four-building, eight-unit cottage project, and more such units are in the early planning stages.The one-story cottages, under construction at E.