Groundwork under way for South Hill office complex

Silvey Construction and a partner group of investors are working through ground preparation on the South Hill’s next large office complex, at the corner of East 29th and Martin. The 37,000-square-foot professional office building will not be ready for about a year. Current work involves moving and hauling tons of heavy basalt along the south side of 29th, across from the Grapetree Village office project. “We were prepared for the worst, to find more rock than we have,” said Mike Silvey, owner of the construction company that is also project general contractor. “We hoped to find less, but we’re doing pretty well getting the rock cleared.” The three-level building will have two above-ground floors and a daylight basement, Silvey said. The office is designed for medical, dental and professional tenants. No tenant deals are ready to be announced, he said. Silvey said the total value of the project is $8.5 million. Eventually the project will involve hauling off about 20,000 cubic yards of rock, he said. Some of the large rock will be kept on site to be used on retaining walls. Silvey is splitting the cost of hauling off the rest with an area developer. That developer is using the rock from the 29th project as road ballast, he said.

Samurai Sam’s opens today

Asian-styled franchise Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill plans a soft opening today, followed by a grand opening next Friday, at its South Hill location, 909 S. Grand Blvd. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Seating will be available both indoors and on a patio in front. Running the eatery are franchise owners Marianne Guenther and Jeremy Tangen. Samurai Sam’s is an Arizona-based company with restaurants across the Western U.S.

Condo seller throws in cars

With four luxury units to move in a sluggish market, Barcelona Condominiums owner Bob Cooke will reward buyers with an Audi A-4 or Volkswagen Jetta, depending on the model purchased. The “European-modern” style homes are at 1630 W. Riverside Ave., in Browne’s Addition overlooking Peaceful Valley. The $40,000 Audi will go to the buyer of a 2,100-square-foot condo priced at $754,800, Cooke said. The $20,000 Jettas go to those who buy one of three units ranging from $342,200 to $434,400, and from 1,023 to 1,100 square feet. Cooke said the cars fit the hip, urban profile of the most likely buyers. “That’s why we’re not offering Hummers,” he said. Cooke said the Barcelona, designed by architect Cesar Fleitas, who is based in Barcelona, Spain, is the only ground-up, new condo project in Spokane.

LDS building church in Post Falls

The Post Falls-Coeur d’Alene Stake House of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has begun construction of its new church building in Post Falls. The $2.3 million project at the corner of McGuire and Midway Road will be 16,500 square feet. Exterior work will conclude later this year, with the building expected to be done in February, said architect Richard Colburn, vice president of H2A Architects PA, of Coeur d’Alene. The general contractor in charge of the job is Jacobsen Construction of Salt Lake City.

Liberty Lake lots planned

A proposed site plan would create eight lots on 9.3 acres between Appleway Avenue and Interstate 90 near Liberty Lake’s eastern boundary. The city’s Planning & Building Services department Wednesday issued a site plan for the property owned by the Peder R. Heggem Bypass Trust. Public comment on the proposal will be accepted until June 24. One of the lots is already occupied by three commercial buildings. The other lots would also be available for potential commercial use if the plat is approved. The parcel was annexed into the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District earlier this year.