Arc of Spokane consolidating in former Inland Power site
Downstairs portion will serve as community center
Arc of Spokane will consolidate its programs for the developmentally disabled next spring into the former Inland Power and Light Co. building at 320 E. Second Ave.
Executive Director Greg Falk said Walker Construction began $1.7 million in upgrades to the building last month.
Some of the office space on the main floor will be kept intact, he said, but the remainder of that floor will be reconfigured. The downstairs where the technical staff worked and trucks were garaged will be converted into a community center, he said. The floors will be connected by a new elevator.
Falk said there would be little change to the exterior.
Arc bought the building in February for $1.4 million with the expectation the purchase and improvements would be paid for with grants and the proceeds from the sale of its two existing buildings.
He said Arc sold its main building at 127 W. Boone Ave. in February, but the sale of a second at 116 W. Indiana Ave. fell through when the prospective buyer, a tenant, could not get funding.
Arc has received no other offers, he said, but the tenant remains in the building.
The Spokane Housing Authority just broke ground on the full renovation project of the former Martindale Apartments in Hillyard.
The project involves converting two adjacent buildings at 5313 N. Regal St. into 51 affordable and low-cost apartments.
The first building, erected in 1912, served as the Hillyard High School. The attached second building was a gym and auditorium, built in 1922.
The $6.5 million renovation will be done by Spokane-based Walker Construction.
The goal is to dedicate the finished building in early 2012, 100 years after the high school first opened, said Steve Cervantes, the housing authority’s executive director.
After receiving comments from the Hillyard Neighborhood Council, the housing agency decided to rename the building the Agnes Kehoe Place, in honor of the woman who saved the old high school from condemnation in the 1930s.
It was converted to apartments in the 1940s and renamed the Martindale. It fell into disrepair over the decades and was purchased for $750,000 in 2005 with help from the Spokane Community Housing Association. It has been vacant since mid-2008.
Washington state has approved a $2.5 million loan to the housing authority for the project. US Bank is providing additional capital, Cervantes said.
Plans call for about 25 units for homeless people, including some for veterans. Twelve will be for households with incomes below 40 percent of the median family income.
Savory ready at last
Delayed two months by start-up issues, South Hill restaurant Savory will start serving lunches and dinners on Monday, said general manager Scott Nelson. It’s taken over the former Blockbuster Video store at 1314 S. Grand Blvd.
Nelson said the cuisine will be contemporary American. Hours will be 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to close on Friday and Saturday.
Dog day care opens
Doggyland Daycare, at 11712 E. Montgomery Ave. in Spokane Valley, opened recently to provide dog care and training six days a week, said general manager Janette McKenna.
The facility, which shares the building used by Northwest Gymnastics Academy, has two rec rooms, allowing separate care for large or smaller canines.
The business also has an outdoor wading pool and a heated indoor play area.
Among its specialized services is biofeedback treatment, which requires an appointment, according to McKenna.
More information can be found at doggylanddaycare.com.