MetroSpokane

Where in the world is Yardley Point...?

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT - The name Yardley Point is a new one to us.  For years, we've been living with the understanding that Yardley is located in the Spokane Valley near Havana and Broadway.  Apparently it's also the name for the little lobe of land near Trent and Hamilton that is home to Habitat for Humanity Surplus Building Supply.  While not the most beautiful corner in the city, it sure sees a lot of traffic and that's a big driver in the $2.5 million price tag.  Being smack-dab in the middle of the University District and near the river doesn't hurt either.  At one time there were mumblings of plans for this parcel - something about student housing to serve the University District.  New Rule: No more properties/developments using the word YARD.

Until that time, Habitat for Humanity has some good deals on surplus tile.

• Listing - Yardley Point [NAIBlack]

Extreme Makeover: Ye Ol' Selkirk Building

If Extreme Makeover had an office building edition this would be it.  The former Selkirk Building (506 W. 2nd) and the adjoining parcel sold last year for the tidy sum of $770K.  The new owners, Sun Devil Development, look to be dropping some change to spruce the place up.  The reconfiguration will mean two retail condos, four office condos, and a basement space.  The upside:  The 13,000sqf building is losing the fancy sheet metal, revealing the transoms, cleaning up that brick, adding a new side entry, and throwing in some  nice awnings.  The downside:  That side entry will front on the ample new surface parking for 32 (There's a parking shortage downtown, remember?).  Eh, can't have it all.  BUS DRIVER - MOVE THAT BUS!!!

• Listing - 506 W. 2nd [NAIBlack]
• 506 W. 2nd [GMAP]

A little distraction from the snow...

We'd like to offer you a break from the constant coverage of the 'shock and awe' of RECORD BREAKING SNOW.  Please enjoy the following video.  Just think in a mere 5 months this could be you..

EVERYBLOCK - A new slant on local information

The world of mashups just got a little more interesting:  Enter EveryBlock.  What Google did for online mapping  EveryBlock is attempting to do for aggregating data on the local level.  We're talking whatever data you can throw at it:  Flickr photos, news stories, building permits, missed connections, restaurant reviews, crime reports, liquor licenses, zoning agenda items, and on and on.  Now take this same data and present, sort, chart, or map it by street, neighborhood, zip code, or heck even council district. 

Currently it's only available for the big 3 - San Fran, New York, and Chicago.  However, at some point this will get local even to Spokane.  Excitingly, revealingly, local - and we can't wait. 

From the EveryBlock Blog:

"We aim to collect all of the news and civic goings-on that have happened recently in your city, and make it simple for you to keep track of news in particular areas. We're a geographic filter -- a "news feed" for your neighborhood, or, yes, even your block."

Ashplace Cottages: A Northside answer to innovative infill

NORTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD - If The Abbey wasn't quite your location or your thing the Ashplace Cottages just might do the trick.  Located across the street from Drumheller Springs on the bluff overlooking the city, this is some smart infill and quite possibly the first of it's kind in Spokane. 

Ashplace Cottages (floorplans and sample house above) will sport nine units on just over an acre of land.  Each unit will have it's own private landscaped area, front on a shared open space, and will be no bigger than 1,000 sqf. per the zoning code that encourages this type of infill.  A key element is that parking is also centralized and deemphasized from the individual homes which are meant to reflect the existing neighborhood design.  The focus of the project is to offer decreased square footage for higher-quality finishes thereby keeping the costs down.  The units will go for around $169K and include two beds and two baths.  Building is expected to begin in March and three of the homes should be done by mid-to-late summer. 

Long a popular infill option in Seattle and Portland, it's nice to see some innovative (and attainable) housing starting to hit the market in Spokane.

• The Abbey: Density everyone should love [MetroSpokane]
• Ashplace Cottages [GMAP]
• Listing Agent [Windermere]

Spokane International Airport: We're Number 2!

[Photo grabbed from airportjournals.com]

One of the great things about our airport has to be the ease of access.  Getting in and out, dropping someone off or picking them up is pretty much a breeze.  Apparently the same goes for flight departures.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics just released its Airport on time performance data for all of 2007 and SIA (or GEG!) came in second behind Honolulu.  Via Elliot.org a tipster informs us that according to the data last year 86.34% of all domestic flights left on time from Spokane.  Outstanding!  First we dominate in the 2007 RICHARD A. GRIESBACH EXCELLENCE IN AIRPORT CONCESSIONS CONTEST and now this?  Just another reason to luv mid-size cities, wouldn't ya say?

Full lists below >>>

An idea for the Spokane Art School...

The news a couple weeks back that the Spokane Art School would be putting their building up for sale was quite the downer.  If nothing else, the school and location was a pretty good manifestation of art in Spokane for the past 23 years.  The thousands of classes taught over the years exposed people of all ages to a very basic concept:  get out there and create something.

But we're convinced this turn of events doesn't have to be the death-knell for art in this building.  How about a conversion to live-work condos?  Now before you start ranting about overpriced condos hear us out.  The concept would be to target these live-work spaces at artists, but above all make them affordable.  The devil is in the details as the big challenge would be to take this relatively small building (10,000 sqf) and make it pencil.  Funds are out there that in all reality could be used to help make something like this happen.  With a future science/children's' museum proposed down the street, and a couple other condo projects as well, such a project could add some depth to this interesting part of downtown.  Yeah, we're idealists...

For sale: Your very own Flour Mill

It's not every day that the Historic Flour Mill comes up for sale and the price at $5.9 million may seem a touch steep.  Consider though the long list of amenities:  City skyline views, riverfront, arena, walk to Upper Falls Senior High Condos for swank summer parties at the Bretts, the list goes on.  Own a sizable chunk of Spokane History.

• Listing-Flour Mill [Kiemle-Hagood]
  

Touching Base: Kennedy Anchors Ruby

It seems like just last fall we were fawning all over the completed Kennedy Apartments-Phase I.  Phase II is underway and growing like a weed over on Boone and Ruby.  More important though is how this group of buildings is transforming that intersection.  It's a smart site plan that is respectful of it's urban setting (built to the curb-parking in the middle-permeable facade).  Compare it to this.

Architect ALSC [ALSC homepage]
Boone and Ruby [GMAP]

More views below...

Paulsen Building Penthouse - On top of Spokane

 

For anyone who's ever pondered Spokane's Skyline the Paulsen Medical and Dental Building is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks.  At the top of the fifteen-story skyscraper sits perhaps Spokane's most exclusive  (if not highest) private residence.  The solitary penthouse was home to members of the Paulsen Family for over seventy years, and a few weeks back we gained access to the now vacant residence to have a look around.

It's a decent-sized space inside with two bedrooms, three baths, and a servants quarters tucked way in the back.  The kitchen is modest by today's standards, and the living room and dining/sun room are quite large.  As you'd expect, the views from inside are pretty much unmatched by any residence in town (yes, even Upper Falls), but the real fun begins when you step outside onto the wraparound patio.  Long gone is the sixty year old arborvitae that was a landmark itself (In 1996 it partly fell to the twelfth floor roof during the ice-storm).  Still, it's all about the view.  From up there, and in every direction, you're looking at Spokane in an unfamiliar way.  It's like seeing your city for the first time again and it's pretty cool.

Highlight - The gun closet directly across from the wet bar.

• Paulsen Building History - [City of Spokane Historic Preservation Office]
• August Paulsen - [Wikipedia entry]

Grant Building: Let it breathe, baby...

If you've wandered by Post and Riverside lately, it's no secret that SRM and Dunn & Black's overhaul of the three-story Grant Building is well underway.  The fences are up, the facade is down, and the renderings dropped in our inbox give us tremendous hope for design downtown.  The architects at Nystrom-Olson-Collins have taken what was a looming windowless void and opened it way, way up.  Add in some muted colors, plenty of glass on the street (our fav) more up above, and this building is (finally) giving something back to this street corner.

More renderings below...

Wayfinding: Have any in your neighborhood?

Spokane, like most cities, is loaded with history.  A quick glance around Downtown, Hillyard, Garland, or East Sprague and it become evident very quickly that there are some stories to be told.  During a recent trip west, we found ourselves on the Ave in Seattle visiting the farmer's market there.  While waiting for friends to finish up their shopping we spied this wayfinding/historical marker on a street corner.  On each side (photo above) was a different piece of info:

• A map of the neighborhood with key landmarks identified
• A map of the greater Seattle area with "Your are here" indicated
• Historical information with a few old photos of the neighborhood
• Description of the neighborhood (we think)

In a matter of minutes we understood all of the above information, learned a thing or two about the neighborhood, and now had a connection with this place where we'd spent the last hour.  Take downtown and Hillyard; looking around you'd have no concept of your location in the overall city, and certainly you'd have no sense for the dramatic influence the railroad has had on both neighborhoods.  To visitors the clock tower looks just like a tall structure oddly located. 

Things like these (a.k.a. City Comforts) enhance the public space not only for those who live here, but also those who are visiting.  They build and strengthen our connection to our neighborhoods and it doesn't take much.  A pretty good return on the investment we think.

Flashback: Behold the Park Tower

Downtown housing was going vertical in the early 70s downtown Spokane.  If you were over 62 and needed subsidized housing then this was your place.  As a building, the Park Tower is just kind of there.  It really doesn't add or detract from the skyline.  It's more neutral than anything.  At the street-level (where it really matters) it relates quite well.  Funny how the rendering emphasizes what is really the alley-side of the building.

"Construction has started on the 20-story Park Tower apartments on Trent and Bernard just south of the Expo '74 site.  It will provide 185 apartments for persons 62 years or older under a federal subsidy program reducing rents for most units.  Long slanted roof at the left is the Washington State Pavilion on the exposition site.  On the right is the design proposal for a 15-story Sheraton Motor Inn of Spokane.  Park Tower is scheduled for completion in late 1974."

Smartfortwo spotted-it's tiny...

It's 2008.  Have you reserved your Smartfortwo yet?  We saw one parked in the Riverpark Square parking garage recently and spent about five minutes walking around and looking at it.  It was the first one we've seen up close although we've spotted another one tooling around town. 

You first notice just how incredibly small it is, but an up close look at the interior reveals a roomy space (The guy getting into it later was around 6'4").  Parked nearby was a five year old Explorer and in comparison it's shocking how little space the Smartfortwo consumes.  We figured it at about half. 

The nearest dealer for these will be located in Seattle (smartcenterseattle.com).  Entry level model (pure) starts at around $11,600 while the sportier version (passion) starts at $13,600.  If you're curious how well it holds up to a 70mph collision with a concrete barrier check out this vid on YouTube.

STOREFRONT-Uptown 410

LOWER EAST END - Washington and 2nd has proven that the boutique approach to retail has legs.  We dropped by Uptown 410 recently and found a great little place.  It's absolutely packed with custom footwear, shirts, DVDs, jackets, and a smattering of Japanese pop culture paraphernalia.  And if you can't find it they'll order it.  The place was small but comfy - more like hanging out at a friend's place than shopping. 

For what it's worth, shopping in Spokane is usually associated with one of the big malls and the big national chains that anchor them.  The climate-controlled goodness is comfortable, but blocks and blocks of skywalkin' just sucks the life out of you.  What we're looking for is streetlife and small boutique shops that spill out on the street.  This emerging district makes us believe that's on the upswing.

• Uptown 410 official site [myspace]
• WHERE: 307 W. 2nd Ave [GMAP]

On the Market: A friggen' block+ of the Lower East End

LOWER EAST END - The holidays may be over, but the bargains are still available if you dig a little.  We spotted this 'little' gem on a drive-by the other afternoon. All said it's a block and a quarter.  OK, it's more like 2.25 acres, and no it's not Wendel Reugh's surface-parking-bonanza on Riverside it's Roses & More.

As the Lower East End continues to be a hot-bed of small business and redev activity, adding this little nugget to your portfolio pretty much gives you your own urban playground.  Owned by RJH III, LLC and Pacific Avenue Properties, the 2.25 acres was originally platted as twenty-seven individual parcels and contains a mix of warehouses (Old Roses & More Bldg), multi-story apartments, commercial buildings, and vacant land to boot.  A stone's throw to Ichiban, LazerQuest, Thomas Hammer, and the House of Charity, it's yours for the taking at $5.4 million.  Bidding begins now.

• Listing: 24 W. Second and then some [Kiemle-Hagood]

Cathedral Point bares its winter coat

Seasons come and seasons go, and with the passing of each we look forward to the progress of the Cathedral Point condos.  Our last update focused on the deconstruction that had taken the original building down to literally a nub with a wall.  Like a phoenix rising from the ashes CP has not only been reborn, but has matured and appears to have reached its final height.  The only difference we can tell is the large rectangular wall on the right.  Elevator relocated to the west?

• Cathedral Point Condos [Windermere]

Lincoln with Scarf...

More proof that people are claiming, using, and personalizing the public space in Spokane...

Masterplanning the friendly skies...

Did you know that by 2020 passenger levels at Spokane International Airport are projected to double from 1.7 million to 3.3 million?  That's huge!  In order to handle that growth, back in 2000 a new Airport Master Plan was developed and resulted in a number of recommendations that focused on Terminal Improvements.  These included:

• Add approx. 12 new aircraft gates to enhance competition through expansion of Concourse C.
• Expand the Air Carrier Apron to allow for additional aircraft parking.
• Expand the automobile parking facilities (either garage or surface).
• Improve the surface access system to increase safety and eliminate congestion.
• Improve intersections through grade-separation, signalization or other methods.
• Provide for potential development of light rail or other mass transit access to the airport.
• Improve capacity for commercial users (e.g. rental car companies, taxis, etc.).

That first item is seen above in bright yellow and compared to the existing old terminal (red) it's a big'un.  Of course that means a sweet new 13,000' x 150' runway [RFQ/RFP-PDF] to service it.  Just last year the largest and newest air traffic tower in Washington went up and now the RENT-A-CAR Renovation [RFQ/RFP-PDF] is out for bid and should be completed by October 1, 2008.

Flashback: Kellogg, Idaho - 5-27-96

This one's a bit of a flashback, but if you weren't around the Inland NW you missed the buzz that was going on over in Kellogg, Id that Memorial Day.  From I-90 not much is visible of the massive mining complex that was once Bunker Hill.  Millions of cubic yards of contaminated soil, the temporary rerouting of the South Fork of the CDA River, and well over 200 buildings demolished in what was a huge mitigation and cleanup of a mining superfund site. What most people remember though was the day the stacks came down. 

On Memorial Day May 27th, 1996 the towering stacks (610 and 715 feet tall) were demo-ed in a public event witnessed by thousands.  Fortunately we stumbled across some home video footage taken by a spectator from the hillside across from the stacks.  At first thought you might not think a few smelter stacks coming down has much to do with Spokane. But take one look at our skyline and in it you can see reflected the fortunes that were made and consequently shaped the urban environment we experience everyday.  The Paulsen Buildings, the Great Northern clock tower, the Old National Bank Building, the Spokesman/Chronicle Buildings, and the twin smelter stacks at Bunker Hill.  This stuff is our heritage.

The best minute-and-a-half you'll spend on YouTube all week.

Highlight:  At 0:42 the guy yelling, "HOLY SH#T, LOOK AT THAT THING GO!"

Washington Trust Building - SOON!

[The end of days?  Nay.  Just an advertisement for the nearly complete Washington Trust Building in 1973.]

"Standing tall on Spokane's skyline and in the community the magnificent Washington Trust building will soon enter actively into daily life.  The soaring sixteen-story tower will be filled with busy banking and business offices.  Adjoining parking for 260 cars will facilitate your using our expanding full service banking.

Computer programmed elevators will whisk you to all-floor destinations in this complex that crowns over 70 years of service to our city, our people, our industries and businesses.

With our eight community locations, the Washington Trust Bank tower and office complex will make it pay you more than ever to be a Washington Trust Banker.  Come bank with the tallest bank building in town and enjoy a new dimension in personal service.  Soon!"

Your new hybrid buses have arrived

Is it us or is transit getting better in Spokane?  Seriously.  New upgrades to the equipment over the past couple of years has resulted in a dramatically improved experience on the ol' daily commute.  Some of the equipment is pushing two decades of daily use, so when one of the new Gilligs rolls up to your stop you're in for a comfy ride. 

Today STA had an open house for their new diesel-electric hybrid buses that will be hitting the streets this week, and we hopped onto one of the demo-rides they were giving around downtown. 

At first look there's little difference aside from a large bump on the roof towards the back of the bus.  Underneath it's a vastly different machine than the usual diesel-guzzler.  The bump on top holds the large batteries that move the vehicle when under 10mph and then blend it with diesel power when more power is needed.  The ride is nice and smooth.  Inside, it was quiet without any shifting of the transmission because, well, it doesn't have traditional one.  Instead it uses an "e-drive" that takes its place.  Outside, a noticeable absence of diesel fumes being belched into the air when the light turns green.  Keep an eye out for the hybrids.

Specs:

• Three buses @ $1.76million - Federal grant covered 80% of the cost.
• Fuel savings expected over 12 years for one bus - 31-35,000 gallons of diesel.
• Hybrid bus will produce 352 tons less carbon dioxide than it's diesel bretheren.
• Hybrid Fact Sheet-pdf [STA]

2008 is a New Year - What's your wish for Spokane?

[First Night photo courtesy of Mista Yuck via Flickr]

By now you've all settled back into your daily routine of work, school, retirement, what have you.  But before we get too far into the first month of 2008 we're starting to think about what this next year will mean for Spokane.  Last year we lobbed-out some real softball predictions and surprisingly a couple of them were close (the others we were waaaaay off). 

This year we're not going to venture into any predictions.  Instead we want to hear from you what your wishes are for Spokane in 2008.  It's a new year with spankin' new opportunities for our City, and if things could change what would they be?  Maybe you think all is well; that's cool too.  The stream of consciousness begins in the comments section below. 

Liberty Lake is for cyclists, Spokane County and N. ID are chunky

[Cyclist image courtesy of Cycling Spokane]

1) LIBERTY LAKE - We missed this newsworthy bit last fall.  Liberty Lake was recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.  Way to go.  Overall Liberty Lake received a Bronze designation (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) and will retain it for the next four years.  The recognition is due mostly to the significant amount of investment they've made in biking infrastructure over the years.  Bicycle Friendly Communities are recognized only if the community has records in two or more of the following five categories:

• Education: Does the community have systems in place to train children and adult cyclists?
• Engineering: Are bicyclists included in the city’s transportation plan?
• Enforcement: Do police officers understand and enforce bicyclists’ rights and responsibilities?
• Encouragement: Does the community participate in Bike Month, offer bike rodeos, host community bike rides, or otherwise encourage cycling?
• Evaluation: Does the community have methods in place to ensure their bicyclist programs are making a difference?

We have a feeling our turn is just around the corner.

2) Spokane, Northern Idaho, we're sorry to say you are not the biggest loser.  In fact it appears we're a little tubbier than the state average.  "Six out of every 10 people in the county are either overweight or obese," and a similar pattern exists in Northern Idaho.  Near nature, near perfect pudding?

3rd and Maple-Barbed-wire fences make great neighbors!!!

Forget the giant inflatable gorillas and turkeys; those are mere props.  Selling high-end luxury cars these days means you have to be classy, and nothing is classier than a seven-foot barbed-wire fence.  Especially when it's on a main arterial downtown. 

Heading eastbound towards 3rd and Maple [GMAP] recently our eyes were drawn to the former Safeway; the one with the big bright yellow sign announcing the site as the "Future home of Downtown Lexus - opening in Fall 2008".  Well until that time the site looks to be the storage area for some excess Toyotas along with 100+ feet of  barbed-wire-topped cyclone fence fronting 3rd Avenue.  We're not sure if it's the longest barbed-wire fence downtown, but we think it sure is the prettiest.  Test drive it today.

Floorplans: Joel Lofts Upstairs

All appears quiet on the condo-front at Joel Lofts.  We're not sure if they're just laying low until the buying season rolls back around or if they're just waiting to see if the local market has a pulse.  Still, a less than marginal website is up and has eight units listed on the 3rd floor ranging in price from $212K-$304K with two reserved.  Parking makes up part of the 1st floor as does Churchill's and another retail bay. 

• Lofts at Joel's Floorplans, elevations, and other bits and pieces - [spokanehome.org]
• Lofts at Joel's - [GMAP]