Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Grapetree Village extends its reach

New phase tacks on 24,000 square feet

Architect Glen Cloninger has begun construction on another phase of the Grapetree Village development on East 29th Avenue in Spokane.

The 24,000-square-foot expansion is a continuation of the original, slightly smaller structure that opened in 2007, Cloninger said. He said that space is fully leased.

The new phase, which will be available for occupancy in the fall, will be split evenly between retail and office space, he said.

Parking, as with the earlier phases and the Applebee’s restaurant that is also part of the development, will be in the rear.

Cloninger said he has strived for a feel akin to that of Carmel, Calif., using flowers and trees to complement mixed use that also includes residential development behind the commercial structures.

There is space for another expansion east of Applebee’s. Cloninger said a decision on when to proceed there will depend on the economy’s performance.

SFCC building wins LEED Gold

A year-old building at Spokane Falls Community College has been certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold, the first Washington community or technical college to reach that mark.

Greg Plummer, district director of facilities for Community Colleges of Spokane, said sn-w’ey’-mn, Salish for “place of commerce,” was designed to “silver” standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council, which certifies buildings based on design, construction and operation. Platinum is the highest possible level.

He said sn-w’ey’-mn, pronounced “sin-WAY-mun,” has exceeded expectations and also benefited from a commitment to use some wind power to light the building. About 95 percent of the construction waste was recycled, he said.

“That’s a phenomenal figure,” Plummer said.

He said energy-saving features in the building include radiant-floor heat in the three-story atrium, double walls of glass on its west side with louvers in between, and installation of bamboo cabinetry, doors and trim.

Those measures did not add much to the $16 million cost, he said.