The Dirt: Developers behind proposed RiverView resort seek alternative use for site near Washington-Idaho border

More than a decade ago, two California development companies proposed a “destination resort” along the Spokane River with three hotels, a convenience store and two restaurants near the Washington and Idaho border.

Spokane County’s hearing examiner approved a conditional use permit for the RiverView master planned resort in March 2011, but the more than 15-acre site has sat vacant. That could be changing, as developers have applied for a “change of conditions application” with the county, that if approved, would allow for an alternative project at the site.

California-based RiverView Stateline LLP and Border Investment LLC are seeking approval from the county to potentially build a 130-space RV park, two dog parks, a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse, 600-square-foot reception facility, picnic areas and parking at 60000 E. Wellesley Ave.

The reception facility, one of the dog parks and a portion of the RV park extend into Idaho and will need to be approved by the city of Post Falls, according to documents filed with the county.

An updated environmental review filed with the Washington State Department of Ecology in February indicates construction could begin in the spring, or “as market conditions dictate.”

RiverView Stateline LLP and Border Investment LLC were not immediately available for comment on the project.

The site development plan approved with the master planned resort in October remains an option, according to the environmental checklist.

The RiverView master planned resort called for three hotels with a total of 348 rooms, a 6,000 square-foot sit-down restaurant, a 2,500-square-foot convenience store with eight fueling stations, a 3,200-square foot fast-food restaurant and an 860-square-foot drive-thru espresso stand.

The project was valued at $25 million, according to a 2008 Spokesman-Review article.

A public hearing on the change of conditions application is scheduled with Spokane County’s hearing examiner at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 2.

Pacific Steel & Recycling relocating portion of Spokane branch

Great Falls-based Pacific Steel & Recycling is relocating a portion of its Spokane branch to make way for construction of the North Spokane Corridor.

Idaho-based Hansen-Rice Inc. filed a preliminary application with the city to construct a 12,000-square-foot baler building, a 3,320-square-foot office, a 5,420-square-foot warehouse, and a storage building and truck dock spanning 10,585 square feet at 2901 E. Trent Ave.

Pacific Steel & Recycling’s new branch will be built west of its existing location at 1114 N. Ralph St.

Pacific Hide and Fur Depot purchased the more than 4-acre vacant site on Trent Avenue for $3.2 million in April 2019, according to the Spokane County Assessor’s Office.

The new branch is estimated to break ground in May. The project valuation is $8.2 million, according to documents filed with the city.

Pacific Steel & Recycling distributes steel and recycles scrap metal, including vehicles, catalytic converters, aluminum, brass and copper. The company has 46 branches in the western U.S. and Alberta.

The Man Shop files building permit for corporate headquarters

The Man Shop is planning to build a corporate headquarters in north Spokane.

Blue-Chip Alliance LLC, whose principals are The Man Shop owners Michael Howe and Joel and Summer Lobb, applied for a permit with the city in September to build a 5,000-square-foot building at 801 W. Francis Ave.

The Man Shop will occupy 2,200 square feet of the building, with 2,800 square feet of remaining space to be built for additional retail tenants, according to the application.

Spokane-based Finley Construction is the project contractor. Russell Page Architects, of Spokane, is designing the project, according to the application.

The Man Shop has 10 locations in the Spokane area with an additional location under construction in Airway Heights.