The Dirt: Work to prepare Ridpath Hotel condos continues

Work to convert the top floors of the old Ridpath Hotel into condos continues, according to permits issued by the city.

The 12th and 13th floors of the building have long been considered for privately owned condos, but only recently did permits get issued for the 12th floor, which will have 14 units and see nearly $500,000 in renovation work. The 13th floor has undergone significant work and will contain three condo units.

Some of the 12th floor work is being done by Mark Mackin, who owns seven units, an elevator lobby and a hallway on the floor. Though the units will be sold as separate units, the rooms will be similar to the former hotel’s 206 units, many of which are “micro-apartments” and studios averaging 220 to 300 square feet in size. Most of those units are being rented as “workforce” housing and amount to a refurbished hotel room with a kitchenette, including a stainless steel sink, two-burner cooktop and refrigerator.

The 13th floor condos are much larger and are undergoing extensive renovation.

Though Mackin will hire his own contractor, the remaining work continues to be done by the Ridpath Penthouse LLC and Ron Wells Group LLC, companies controlled in part by Ron Wells, who recently pleaded guilty to nine felonies related to a massive insurance fraud scheme. Wells still has ownership in the project, but was stripped of decision-making authority in the Ridpath project by the others involved, which includes Paul Mann and Mackin. – N.D.

Retail, dental development planned for Airway Heights

A new retail development is coming to Airway Heights that include could a dental office, shopping center and restaurant.

Spokane Valley dentist Josh Cochran filed plans with the city of Airway Heights to build a 16,000-square-foot mixed-use building – Dr. C’s Retail – at 11919 W. Sunset Highway.

Cochran is owner of Dr. C Family Dentistry in Spokane Valley.

Plans call for a 5,100-square-foot dental office, 7,600-square-foot shopping center and a 3,200-square-foot fast-casual restaurant, according to an environmental review.

Construction on the development is expected to be start this fall, according to the environmental review.

Spokane-based McCloskey Construction is the project contractor. Spokane County Assessor’s Office records indicate Cochran purchased the 2-acre site for $560,000 in May. – A.E.

McDonald’s in Spokane Valley undergoing renovations

A McDonald’s restaurant in Spokane Valley is undergoing renovations to add a new order counter, menu boards and dining-area decor.

Suburban Chicago-based McDonald’s Corp. filed plans with the city to renovate the 4,200-square-foot restaurant at 15 S. Havana St.

Plans also call for upgrades to the restaurant’s electrical system to add interactive games and a food-order kiosk.

The renovations are valued at $115,000, according to permits filed with the city.

Spokane-based PM Design Group Inc. is the project architect. Spokane-based Associated Construction Inc. is the contractor. – A.E.

$12 million apartment complex planned for Spokane Valley

Broadway Orchards LLC has filed plans with the city of Spokane Valley to build a more than $12 million apartment complex.

Plans call for four apartment buildings – each more than 25,000 square feet – at 16708 E. Broadway Ave., according to a site plan filed with the city.

The development will also include a 3,400-square-foot clubhouse and seven garages.

Broadway Orchards LLC purchased the 4-acre site for $745,000 in 2017.

Seattle-based Hoist LLC is the project architect. The project contractor is Spokane Valley-based T.W. Clark Construction LLC. – A.E.

Small duplex development coming to East Central neighborhood

A duplex is being built on a vacant lot along First Avenue just east of Napa Street, according to city permit data.

The $250,000 project at 1924 E. First Ave. will bring two, two-bedroom units to Spokane’s East Central neighborhood, replacing a home that was demolished in 2010.

Each unit will be 1,020 square feet and will have a covered deck. Parking will be on-street.

The property is owned by Ricardo and Lourdes Zacapantzi, who purchased the property in May for $60,000. It was last sold in 1987 for $13,000.

The area has seen increased construction activity following the city’s renovation of East Sprague Avenue, a historically poverty-stricken part of town that has seen continued private investment since the city started targeting public dollars there. The $12 million Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery on Sprague is under construction, and the area also recently saw the construction of an affordable housing complex by Community Frameworks and a Frontier Behavioral Health clinic.

The Zacapantzis are acting as the project’s general contractor. – N.D.