Work Launched On Commercial Project Across I-90 From Outlet Mall

As North Idaho steadily grows, you can’t help but think “Hey, that’s a prime piece of property” when you, well, see a prime piece of property. Such is the case with the Post Falls parcel across the freeway from the Factory Outlets mall.

Obviously I’m not the only one who noticed it. In fact, as we speak dirt is being moved around to prepare for Pleasant View Business Center. If you’re hankerin’ to do business on this parcel, don’t despair; the developers may have room for you.

Room is something this 4.5-acre place allows. Phase 1 (of two) comprises three buildings that should be constructed this summer, according to co-owner John Marcheso of Coeur d’Alene.

Building “A” will be about a 14,000-square-foot project located along Fifth Avenue on the northeast corner (near McDonald’s). The major tenant will be Pleasant Valley Marine, a marine supply store to be owned by a second development partner, Robert Lewis, who also is president of Spokane Structures, the general contractor for the project. About 8,000 square feet remains available.

Building “B” has the prime location along Pleasant View Road between I-90 and Fifth. The state anticipates such a heavy traffic load for Pleasant View that it purchased an extra 25 feet BLM Enterprises, the corporate entity under which Marcheso and his partners operate, to widen the road to at last six lanes.

The initial tenants in the 9,500-square-foot building are Toro Viejo restaurant and a western wear store. The restaurant will be owner Ruben Briseno’s third in the three years he’s been in North Idaho. His first two are in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden. About 2,400 square feet remain available.

Rugged Ridge, an outdoor recreation store that’s a spinoff from the White Elephant stores in Spokane, will occupy Building “C” in the center of the complex. Building “D,” otherwise known as Phase 2, will be a 30,000-square-foot facility in an “L” shape on the southeast corner of the property. Marcheso said a home furniture store has indicated a strong interest in the building.

Amenities with the project include the super location, ample parking and pleasant landscaping, including a picnic area. Phase 1 should be completed in September.

Marcheso, formerly with New York Life Insurance, came to North Idaho in 1980 from New York. Lewis came to Spokane 25 years ago from Tennessee. The third partner is Coeur d’Alene accountant Michael Bibin, who left Southern California seven years ago. The trio also plan to develop a four-acre parcel at Government Way and Lacey Avenue in Hayden.

While Briseno plans his third store, another trio is a bit ahead of him. Silver Valley men Don Walde (pronounced Wall-dee), Jim Fowler and Dean Cooper last month opened Lookout Pass Bike & Ski at 1850 Seltice Road (the castle-shaped store west of the Dugout Tavern), Post Falls.

Their inventory includes Specialized and Scott mountain bikes and Rosignol and Dynastar skis and snowboards. In-line skates should be arriving soon, Cooper said. With the business name of Lookout Recreation Inc., the men also own the Lookout Ski Area (on the Idaho-Montana line), the Lookout Motel in Mullen, the Ski Haus in Wallace and the first Lookout Pass Bike & Ski (on Lookout Pass, of course). The pass store will open for the summer on Memorial Day weekend.

Walde was born and raised in Wallace, and Cooper and Fowler came to North Idaho four years ago from Denver and South Carolina respectively.

A few tidbits:

Volunteers are to be commended for their litter pickup last weekend along I-90 and along the North Fork Highway of the Coeur d’Alene River. While these groups were volunteers, litter pickups are a great fund-raiser possibility for groups, such as 4-Hers, scouts, etc. The volunteers can request pledges for hours worked. It’s definitely more worthwhile than monetary pledges for hours spent on a seesaw in a shopping center.

Being absolutely non-mechanical, I wasn’t surprised last week when I simply could not replace a windshield wiper. Slightly embarrassed and unable to see with the driving rain, I saw an open bay door and pulled into Auto Shack on Best Avenue, Coeur d’Alene. Mechanic Jack Hand had the replacement completed in 30 seconds. I expressed my shame at my not doing the job. And knowing what I do for a living, Jack grinned and said, “Hey, I can’t spell.”

The bottom line is we each have our specialties and should leave what we can’t do adequately for the people who can.

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN - Nils Rosdahl The Spokesman-Review