Mike McLean

Canyon Bluffs apartment developer refinances $13.1 million mortgage

July 5, 2012

Love Funding, a Washington, D.C.-based lender, says it has refinanced a $13.1 million loan for Canyon Bluffs Apartment Homes, a 192-unit, market-rate apartment complex in southwest Spokane.Love Funding modified the financing through a Federal on

Bank touts home ownership via employer-aided program

Incentives together can help make mortgages pencil out for workforce

July 5, 2012

Mike McLean

Seattle-based residential lender HomeStreet Inc. has brought a program here that's aimed at making homeownership more accessible to workforces of participating employers by reducing mortgage-related costs and fees, says Andy Slipper, Spokane-area a

Photo courtesy of SilverWing of Sandpoint LLC

Sandpoint fly-in community throttles up

After years of contention, FAA directed to allow runway access easements

July 5, 2012

Mike McLean

The long-planned, $26 million-plus SilverWing at Sandpoint fly-in community once again is revving up its marketing now that access to the runway at Sandpoint, Idaho, is free of federal red tape, clearing the development for takeoff, says Michael in

New-home starts in Spokane area rise in value

Move-up buyers pulling trigger after hesitating due to economic uncertainty

July 5, 2012

Mike McLean

Permit values for new homes under construction in the Spokane area have been on the rise this year, a good indication that the upscale residential market has started to rebound, some industry observers say.The average construction value for home

Idaho Trust Bank buys building, moves its Cd'A operations

Bank takes Sherman site with long-range strategy to expand in Lake City

July 5, 2012

Mike McLean

Idaho Trust Bank has bought a vacant bank building on the east end of downtown Coeur d'Alene where it has moved its North Idaho branch—and where it has room to expand in coming years, says Daniel Prohaska, the bank's co-founder and CEO.The

Spokane Public Schools moves ahead with $14 million skills center addition

Also, Central Valley plans $3.3 million tech facility in old Rite Aid at U City

July 5, 2012

Mike McLean

Spokane Public Schools says it's a big step closer to building a $14 million addition to the NewTech Skills Center in Hillyard, and the Central Valley School District separately expects to call for contractor bids this month to ready a tech branch

Scafco to build plant in East Spokane

City is reviewing plans for $5.7 million facility for making steel studs

July 5, 2012

Mike McLean

Scafco Corp., which operates two Spokane-area manufacturing facilities, is seeking a building permit to construct a new $5.7 million steel stud manufacturing plant at the former site of the Playfair horse racing track in East Spokane, plans under a

Apprenticeships for aerospace

State-funded body aims to pass advanced manufacturing skills to next generation

June 21, 2012

Mike McLean

A Washington state training initiative that aims to sustain and enhance aerospace manufacturing skills has launched an apprenticeship program here, which it plans to expand, says the Spokane Valley-based Eastern Washington program coordinator. a

VAMC projects approach $50 million

Operating-room expansion next on drawing board for hospital improvements

June 21, 2012

Mike McLean

In less than five years, the Spokane Veterans Affairs Medical Center has launched or planned construction projects with a total value approaching $50 million on its 38-acre campus at 4815 N. Wellesley, in North Spokane, says Cheryl Wood, the chief

PepsiCo selects Valley space to consolidate three facilities

Tenant improvements valued at $1.5 million

June 21, 2012

Mike McLean

PepsiCo, the New York-based global beverage and food producer, has leased 80,000 square feet of space in the Central Business Park, in Spokane Valley, and plans to consolidate its Eastern Washington and North Idaho distribution operations there of