Mike McLean

Assessed values fall; taxes rise

County could experience record number of appeals for fourth straight year

February 10, 2011

Overall property values in Spokane County, as assessed by the Spokane County Assessor's Office, declined last year for the first time since 1983. Property owners might not see a drop in taxes as a result, however, since the average property tax is

Pioneering alternatives for skilled-nursing care here

Highly ranked Riverview uses network's philosophy to soften institutional feel

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

Riverview Lutheran Care Center, a skilled-nursing center near the Spokane River on Upriver Drive, strives to offer a homelike alternative to traditional institutional facilities.The center participates in the Pioneer Network, a nonprofit of that

Construction loan cautious

Banks ask project owners to put up more funding, secure higher occupancy

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

Banks have money to lend for commercial projects, but tough loan requirements are making it harder for developers and project owners to get them off the ground, finance and development market insiders here say.The lending environment is much it

Real Estate Roundup

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

Nick Valestrino, of Coeur d'Alene, has bought a 1-acre parcel of commercial land at 10812 N. Government, Way, in Hayden, Idaho, as an investment. Craig Hunter and Rob Kannapien, both of Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Commercial Realty, handled the

Homebuilder franchise here changes corporate affiliation

Lexar Homes replaces HiLine concern in Valley, retains its staff, suppliers

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

All His Homes LLC, a Spokane Valley homebuilder, has changed its franchise affiliation and now does business as Lexar Homes of Spokane.The company continues to work with the same staff, suppliers, and subcontractors, says Bob Oliver, who co-owns

Cd'A equipment seller buys Adams Tractor dealership

Acquisition by North Idaho cousin keeps concern here within its founder's family

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

North Idaho-based Coeur d'Alene Tractor Co. has bought longtime Spokane equipment dealership Adams Tractor Co., says John Adams, cousin of the former owner of the business here and a grandson of its founder.The business, located at 1602 E. now &

Equipment concern opens Spokane shop

Oregon-based company sells, services machines for quarry, gravel plants

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

Valley Equipment Co., a Salem, Ore.-based heavy-equipment sales, service, and fabrication concern, says it's opening an outlet on property it recently bought in East Spokane that formerly was owned and occupied by Spokane Machinery Co.The at E.

Schweitzer Engineering set to expand

Lewiston plant to employ 250 within three years, Pullman staff also to grow

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc., the Pullman-based maker of electrical-system protection, monitoring, and control equipment, plans to break ground in February on a $10 million facility in Lewiston and hopes to start work in March on a $7

Auto sales on upward trend here

Some dealers anticipate 10 percent sales gains for second straight year

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

Some car dealers here say vehicle sales in 2010 climbed significantly, following two years of generally dismal sales, and they expect that rebound to continue at a similar pace this year, due to an improving economy, rising consumer confidence, and

Lydig wins $91 million contract

Spokane contractor adds to its corrections portfolio with big California job

January 27, 2011

Mike McLean

Spokane-based Lydig Construction Inc. has landed a $91 million contract for a jail-expansion project in Southern California that will nearly triple the inmate capacity of the facility there.The Adelanto Detention Center expansion project will a