Mike McLean

New-home starts in Spokane area rise in value

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

July 5, 2012

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

Phones Plus to construct Post Falls headquarters

Wireless product, service retailer also will erect 12th outlet in Oregon

June 21, 2012

Mike McLean

Phones Plus Inc., a Coeur d'Alene-based Verizon wireless telephone and service retailer, plans to develop a new headquarters building in Post Falls.The company also plans to open a new store in southwest Oregon, its 12th retail outlet overall, a

Kendall Yards inks Spa Paradiso, Inlander, others

Spa Paradiso, Inlander, Central Foods restaurant lined up for urban village

June 21, 2012

Mike McLean

Liberty Lake-based real estate development company Greenstone Corp. says it has secured a handful of businesses that will occupy new commercial space under various stages of design and development in the 78-acre Kendall Yards urban village of a and

Options abound for burger bounty

Some restaurant operators looking to expand

June 21, 2012

Mike McLean

When it comes to premium burger joints, some franchise owners and mom-and-pop entrepreneurs are betting that Spokane is hungry for more.Some restaurant operators have imported celebrated restaurant chains, and others are expanding home-grown and