Business Center Site Selected Former Bank Building Could Become New Home For Three Economic Development Organizations

Spokane’s three economic development organizations are taking an important next step in their relationship - cohabitation.

The Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce made an undisclosed offer Wednesday on the former WestOne Bank building at the corner of Riverside and Post.

If the offer is accepted by building owner K. Wendell Reugh of Reugh Companies, the chamber will move in with the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau and Spokane Area Economic Development Council. Reugh could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.

Creation of the Spokane Regional Business Center could take place by the end of the year.

“Having the major business organizations in one location will streamline information and services for companies looking at our area,” said Frank Tombari, vice president, Farmers and Merchants Bank and chairman of the EDC.

The chamber, as owner of the building, would lease space to the other two organizations and other tenants.

The chamber’s board of trustees has authorized the sale of its current building, a 27,000 square foot structure at 1020 W. Riverside. The chamber has occupied that building since the early 1930s.

The new building has 40,000 square feet and 50 underground parking spaces.

The other two organizations also plan to vacate their current locations. The CVB is in the ground floor of the Chronicle Building and the EDC is on the third floor of the Old City Hall Building.

The three organizations have been discussing co-location for two years and see it as an important step in eliminating duplication in their services and creating a unified business presence for the region.

“Marketing the community’s convention facilities and services will be supported by this move,” said Tom Stevenson, managing partner of McFarland and Alton and chairman of the CVB.

Much of the building already is occupied, with law offices, an insurance company, a mineral exploration company and Reugh Management.

The fourth floor of the building is vacant, as is the first floor. Underground parking can be accessed from Sprague Avenue.

Chamber President Rich Hadley said the Regional Business Center would need most of all four floors. The main floor will include a marketing center with a presentation theater, business information center and meeting facilities. The organizations’ offices will be on upper floors.

Hadley said the three organizations will continue to employ about 50 people.

“We expect the center to present a vivid picture of this region’s economy and quality of life,” said David Shea, the chamber’s chairman. “This center will become the front door for our region which will elevate our image and marketing presence.”

Garman Lutz, CFO of Empire Health Services, was chairman of the co-location task force. He said the task force received 18 proposals for the location of the new business center. Four finalists were considered before the offer was made on the building at 9 N. Post.

“We have the ability to move to another option if 9 N. Post doesn’t work out,” Lutz said.

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