Auto-Repair Shop, Eateries Under Construction In/Around: Lincoln Heights

The construction of a 10-bay auto-repair facility, a Subway sandwich shop and a Burger King restaurant at 30th Avenue near Regal Street is under way.

The request to build three businesses on five former residential lots was granted by Spokane’s hearing examiner, Greg Smith, in May.

Before the hearing, residents of nearby apartments said they feared the noise from the auto-repair shop would be bothersome. When Smith granted the zoning change, he required the developer to use extra insulation to provide a buffer against excessive noise.

Several homes were demolished to make way for Alton’s Tire Center and the two restaurants.

Tractors have moved in to grade the lots.

“They’re making a lot of noise and dust right now,” said a volunteer at the nearby South Hill Senior Center.

As for the arrival of three new businesses, neighbors expressed concern that motorists turning left into the new parking lots will clog the already crowded 29th Avenue, an arterial.

“That’s a double yellow line. Crossing that is illegal, so how are we going to get in there?” said a local resident, who declined to be identified.

Donn J. Thompson, another South Hill resident, said he’s glad the two restaurants and Alton’s Tire Center, in particular, are moving into the neighborhood.

“I have to go all the way up the freeway to Sprague to get to Alton’s,” he said. “This will be closer.”

On Tuesday, the buildings’ foundations were being poured.

The project should be completed in late October, said Duane Alton, president of Alton Tire Center.

“We started working a couple weeks ago,” he said.

, DataTimes