Cancer Teatment Center Planned Near St. Luke’s

A block of rugged property at Fifth and Sheridan could become the new home for a cancer treatment center on the lower South Hill.

Physician’s Reliance Network of Dallas is seeking a special permit from the city to build a two-story treatment center just east of St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center.

The developers said the site is ideal for them because it is close to the major medical centers in Spokane.

It is unlikely any opposition will arise. At a community meeting in May, only a handful of neighbors showed up, and none objected to the project, city officials said.

The East Central Neighborhood Steering Committee has endorsed the project.

Proponents said the facility will have eight physicians in a staff of 60. The center would treat as many as 160 patients a day.

The 35,000-square-foot building would be tucked between basalt outcroppings that dot the property, which has a 49-foot grade. The building will have two stories and stand 40 feet high.

Three older homes would be torn down to make room for the clinic.

The land is bordered by Fifth and Hartson avenues and Sherman and Sheridan streets.

The owner of the property is identified in city records as Norene Avey of Spokane.

Developers said they are designing the exterior to blend with the older homes in the neighborhood. The front will have brick and arched windows. The roof will be peaked with gabled ends.

Inside, the center will have facilities for radiation and chemotherapy treatments. It also will be equipped with a laboratory and a CT scanner.

The property is currently zoned for medium-density residential use, and a medical facility is allowed in that zone if a developer receives a special permit from the city.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Hearing on permit A hearing for the permit is scheduled before the city hearing examiner Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the second-floor conference room at City Hall.