WSU plans study of Jensen/Byrd

Washington State University officials have this message for historic preservation advocates: We heard you.

Historic preservationists launched a letter-writing campaign after hearing that the Jensen/Byrd Building, built in 1909, could be torn down as part of the redevelopment of 5 acres WSU owns east of downtown Spokane. Last fall, WSU issued a request for proposals from companies interested in redeveloping the land.

WSU now is planning to commission a study of the building to determine its cultural and architectural significance, along with its economic feasibility.

Northwest Architectural Co. and Goebel Construction, the companies selected to redevelop the land, say their plans include preserving the building.

However, Gerald Schlatter, WSU’s executive director of capital planning and development, said the college needs to see the results of the study before making any final judgments.

Spokane

Unemployment rises in February

Spokane County’s February unemployment rate climbed to 6.1 percent, up from 5.6 percent in January, state officials reported Tuesday.

The statewide rate in February was 5.6 percent, up slightly from 5.3 percent in January.

Though the state jobless rate increased in February, officials said that reflects a much larger number of people actively seeking jobs due to an improving economy.

They said 20,500 new workers entered the job market in February and 13,400 found jobs. That is about 7 percent more workers looking for jobs than a year ago, and an indication the job market is still attractive, according to a press release from Washington’s Employment Security Department.

Spokane

Online S-R offers financial data

Readers can now access a wide range of stock market and mutual fund information on The Spokesman-Review’s Web site.

The information includes stock and mutual fund price quotes, most-active shares and gainers and losers on all the major exchanges and market indexes.

To find the market information, go to “News” in the blue column on the left side of The Spokesman-Review’s Web site, www.spokesmanreview.com, then click the category “Business.”

The online tools are free to current subscribers of The Spokesman-Review or spokesmanreview.com.

Washington

Privacy advocates oppose IRS plan

The Internal Revenue Service is proposing to alter some privacy protections that consumer groups say would allow tax preparers greater leeway to sell personal financial information from the documents or even copies of the entire return itself.

The IRS has scheduled a hearing for April 4 on the proposal, part of a package of revisions the agency says are designed to safeguard information.