Mike McLean

Building permit values hit five-year high, hold momentum

Gains in Spokane, Kootenai counties exceed 50 percent

March 13, 2014

The total value of building permits issued in Spokane County soared to a five-year high in 2013 at just over $1 billion in the unincorporated county and the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley, and they're off to a fast start again so far this year. T

Coffman Engineers opens office in Oakland

Company with Spokane ties boasts strong growth

February 27, 2014

Mike McLean

Coffman Engineers Inc. has opened an office in Oakland, Calif., where it has hired the former owner and staff of a smaller engineering firm, says Adrienne Pool, Spokane-based marketing coordinator for Coffman Engineers. Seattle-based Coffman Engineers'

Major update is under way at 173-room hotel near UI in Moscow

Spokane, Cd'A companies doing design, construction

February 27, 2014

Mike McLean

A Spokane construction company and two Coeur d'Alene design concerns are teaming up on a major renovation project at the Best Western University Inn, in Moscow, Idaho. The project will include renovating all 173 guest rooms, reconfiguring restaurant an

The Academy retirement center embraces its old-school appeal

The Academy boasts steady occupancy rate

February 27, 2014

Mike McLean

The Academy, a Merrill Gardens Community, located in a venerable Victorian building in the Gonzaga University neighborhood east of downtown, has been nearly full for a number of years, even through the Great Recession, says Mark Scroggin, the facility's

Developer starts work on $5 million rental complex

42-unit Broadway Villas to target empty nesters

February 27, 2014

Mike McLean

A Spokane Valley development company has started work on the first phase of a $5 million residential rental complex that will be marketed to independent seniors. The 42-unit complex named Broadway Villas will be comprised of six triplex structures and

Property valuations tick higher for county

$37.2 billion total marks first gain since 2009

February 27, 2014

Mike McLean

The total property value in Spokane County took an upward turn in 2013 for the first time since 2009, and levy rates leveled off after edging higher every year since 2008, says Spokane County Assessor Vicki Horton. Spokane County's total assessed value

Sports field house backers seek design funds

Parks board supports proposed north bank site

February 27, 2014

Mike McLean

The Spokane Sports Commission is seeking a $250,000 legislative appropriation to begin the preliminary design phase of an envisioned $20 million-plus field house and event center that would be developed on mostly city-owned property north of the Spokane R

SBA lenders predict volume rebound in 2014

Fee waivers aim to boost demand for smaller loans

February 27, 2014

Mike McLean

Some lending institutions that are among the leaders here in originating U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans are anticipating renewed interest from borrowers this year, following a dip in total loan volume in the SBA's Spokane district in 20

Avista capital projects loom

Gas-line, customer-service, dam work totals $235 million

February 27, 2014

Mike McLean

Avista Corp. has several big capital projects totaling $235 million in value in various stages of planning and construction this year in the Spokane area. They range from a $1 million gas-line connection replacement project to an $80 million computerized

Therapy clinic moves to Schade Towers

Wenatchee concern has 12 workers at office here

February 13, 2014

Mike McLean

The Achieve Center, a speech, physical, and occupational therapy practice that serves children with developmental disabilities in Eastern and Central Washington, has moved its Spokane clinic to the University District, east of downtown. The relocated cli