GU’s plans for new parking garage, retail building finally getting off the ground

CORRECTED Feb. 23, 10:30 a.m.

Gonzaga University will break ground this spring on a $14 million, four-story building that will add about 650 parking spaces and ground-level dining options for students and area residents.

The new building, which will replace a surface parking lot, will be bordered by Hamilton and Cincinnati streets and DeSmet and Boone avenues. When finished in January  2013, the 250,000-square-foot Gonzaga Retail and Parking Center will be the new home of GU’s campus bookstore and eventually several retail businesses.

The building will have three levels above ground, one underground.

The building will have four levels, GU officials said.

GU school has no immediate plan to sign leases for retail space because it needs to use some of the ground level as a temporary student dining area at some point.

GU’s student dining hall is currently in the COG Building in the center of campus. That building will eventually be demolished to make way for a larger University Center.

RENDERING: ALSC Architects.