Developer Tries For Center Again With Scaled-Down Version

A California developer wants to build a scaled-back version of a commercial center, including a 24-hour grocery store and office buildings, at the corner of Highway 27 and 32nd Avenue.

San Francisco-based Farallon Real Estate Services has asked that 5 acres on the southeast corner of 32nd and Highway 27 be used for an Albertson’s grocery store. Another area would be used for offices, said Farallon’s attorney F.J. Dullanty, Jr.

A public hearing on the proposal is set for Friday.

Originally, the company wanted to build a $5.4 million shopping center, which would have included an Albertsons, fast-food restaurants and other businesses on a 7-acre parcel.

Last April, Spokane County commissioners upheld a hearing examiner’s denial of the original plan.

Farallon has filed a complaint in Spokane Superior Court, where the original plan still sits.

“We’re really not looking at the old plan,” Dullanty said. “We think with this one we’re answering all the residents’ concerns.”

The old plan, he said, will “die a natural death.”

However, if the county does not approve the new plan, then Farallon would still have some action in court, he said.

Residents living near the proposed development formed the Southeast Residential Association to fight the development.

“Our association is going to fight this again,” said Cindy Hallett, a member of the association.

Residents worry the development would increase already “intolerable” traffic along 32nd, Hallett said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HEARING IS FRIDAY A public hearing on a plan to build a commercial center at the corner of Highway 27 and 32nd Avenue will begin at 9 a.m. Friday. It will be held in the lower level of the Spokane County Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway.