Mike McLean

Construction loans available, but not readily

Lenders requiring tenant agreements, bigger cash stake on developer's part

February 26, 2009

Is there really any financing available right now for commercial projects?That question seems to be rising these days more often than scaffolding. The answer, say both developers and financial institutions, is yes—but with a far more eye on

Apartments stay afloat in recession

Market considered tight despite slight rise in vacancy rates

February 26, 2009

Mike McLean

Daren Kelly, who with his wife, Lisa, owns and manages a modest collection of small apartment buildings through a company called Noble Mansions, says he's having no trouble keeping the units occupied so far amid the lingering recession.In fact,

Graham builds data center for WSU's supercomputer

$1.4 million renovation under way in Riverpoint classroom building here

February 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Washington State University says it plans to open a data center on the Riverpoint Campus here that will house the supercomputer it uses to do contract research.It already has begun work on the center, which will be located in the Phase I that's

Angioplasty takes a shortcut through the wrist

Spokane Cardiology does procedure here in growing number of heart patients

February 12, 2009

Mike McLean

In a growing number of cases, the best route to a blocked coronary artery starts at the wrist rather than the groin.Dr. Bryan Fuhs, co-director of preventive care with Spokane Cardiology PS, says that physicians group is performing wrist-access

Real Estate Roundup

February 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Leon Lu and Luc Tran, doing business as All Shiny Nails, at 2524 E. 29th in the Lincoln Heights shopping district, have leased 1,200 square feet of adjacent floor space where their shop has expanded. James Black and Chris Bell, both of NAI Black, &

Nonprofit gets $6.6 million grant for affordable housing

HUD funds will help 60 low-income families here in new-home purchases

February 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Community Frameworks, a Spokane-based nonprofit, has received a $6.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that it plans to distribute through a network of 40 organizations in four states to help low-income people

Colleges fast-track next project

Accelerated plan could lead to earlier building of $45 million structure

February 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Washington State and Eastern Washington universities want to accelerate construction of a proposed $45 million biomedical building on the Riverpoint Campus here, and in an unusual step are seeking funds for two design phases of the project this at

CCS will renovate former nursing school building

Meridian Construction bids $739,000 for remodel job to create labs, classrooms

February 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Meridian Construction Inc., of Spokane Valley, is the apparent low bidder on a renovation project that Community Colleges of Spokane is planning for the former Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing building, just east a

Real estate agent ranksdwindle here

Trend in people leaving realty business follows big slump in home sales

February 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Following a steep decline in home sales here, the ranks of real estate agents also are thinning out.Rob Higgins, executive officer of the Spokane Association of Realtors, estimates that membership in the association has fallen to 1,950 today, a

State park plans $20 million lodge

Mount Spokane aspires to open year-round facility for centennial in 2013, seeks design money

February 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Mount Spokane State Park proposes to develop a $20 million lodge that would serve year-round activities at its ski resort and wants to open the facility in 2013, during the state park system's 100th anniversary.The state park is seeking $4 from