Youth Center To Open In Mid-August Hearing Examiner Oks Permit Allowing Youth For Christ Facility

A new youth center in the East Central neighborhood is planning to open in mid-August now that the city hearing examiner has approved the project plans.

The interdenominational Youth for Christ organization is converting an old commercial building on Fifth Avenue near Haven to a youth center with four “hotel” apartments upstairs.

Last week the Spokane hearing examiner approved a special permit allowing the four living units to be operated as a hotel.

City zoning code does not allow apartments and commercial uses in the same building, so the proponents sought the hotel designation to get around the prohibition.

Hearing Examiner Greg Smith said the occupants would not be permanent residents, so the use of the units qualifies under the city’s hotel designation.

Plans call for allowing staff members of the youth center and low-income residents to occupy the units.

“We are very excited,” said Rick Kienholz, executive director for Youth for Christ.

Workers are putting up drywall this week as the new East Central Campus Life Center nears completion.

Opening is expected during the week of Aug. 18 with a grand opening tentatively scheduled for the first week of school in early September.

The project has won support from neighbors and the leadership of the East Central neighborhood.

The two-story structure next to Horseman’s Foods is being remodeled by the owner, Ricardo Rubio.

Youth for Christ will operate separate programs for grade school children and for junior high kids. The programs will stress self-esteem and goal-setting.

The center’s resources include a job skills center, computers, and connections to the Internet.

Children must join the youth center and agree to comply with house rules.

Kienholz said the staff will emphasize a safe environment.

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