Developers To Show Steam Plant Plans

Wells and Co. and Washington Water Power Co. have agreed on a plan for redeveloping the utility’s downtown Spokane Central Steam Plant, which has been idle since 1986.

The companies have called a news conference for 10 a.m. today to reveal the details of their proposal.

The steam plant has been the focus of controversy since September 1993, when the existence of a decade-old oil leak from the facility was disclosed.

Owners of nearby properties, notably The Davenport Hotel, claim the spill has reduced the value of their holdings and impeded redevelopment in the area.

The Washington Department of Ecology is evaluating WWP’s plants to clean up and contain the spill.

Wells and Co. has done a number of downtown rehabilitations, including several in the area of the former Carnegie Library on West First.

, DataTimes