Spokane7
Kendall Yards
Site preparation and utility work proceeds on the 77-acre Kendall Yards site in February 2008. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Key people
Marshall ChesrownMore information
Summary
When developer Marshall Chesrown purchased 77 acres of real estate near downtown Spokane in 2004, a vision was born. Kendall Yards would be a mixed-use “urban village,” drawing residents to the heart of the city and boosting business. After several years of groundwork and financing setbacks, new developers have taken over the project.
Plans emerged in 2006 for a major development on the land, purchased during Metropolitan Mortgage & Securities Co.’s bankruptcy auction. The initial proposal for the site north of the Spokane River and west of Monroe Street showed high-end residential units; up to 1 million square feet of office and retail space; high-rise buildings; and Centennial Trail connections.
Developers completed a
costly environmental cleanup and drew up plans to handle a surge in traffic. Residents of West Central and other neighborhoods voiced concerns and support. And in September 2006, the city examiner approved Kendall Yards. The City Council would later OK special tax financing despite prominent objections.
As the economy began to falter in 2008, the project ground to a halt. Chesrown closed the downtown Kendall Yards offices, and the site was used for parking.
In late 2009, home builder Greenstone Corp. bought the property and promoted scaled-back plans that kept the mixed-use philosophy but reduced the number and cost of the housing units. Work on those units began in April 2010.
The development may deliver a full-service grocery store by Thanksgiving 2012. One to three office buildings and more housing also are planned next year. Greenstone is working with city officials to reduce long-term parking on streets in commercial portions of Kendall Yards and to extend the Centennial Trail through the project.
Updated Sept. 29, 2011.
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Latest updates in this topic
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Traffic light in works for crossing at Kendall Yards
Feb. 23, 2015 in City on Page A1 A potentially dangerous intersection in Spokane is about to get a new traffic light. Development of Kendall Yards on the north bank of the Spokane River is bringing an increase … 87
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The Dirt
Oct. 26, 2014 in Business on Page E1 Work begins on Highline II Greenstone Corp. has started work on the Highline II building in Kendall Yards west of downtown Spokane.
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The Dirt
Oct. 12, 2014 in Business on Page E1 Wade plans store in Kendall Yards Josh Wade, who launched Nectar Tasting Room in 2011 in downtown Spokane, is adding a wine-and-beer specialty store and pub in the Kendall Yards …
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Porch Fest helps West Central, Kendall Yards neighbors meet
Sept. 14, 2014 in City on Page B1 These days it’s not unusual for neighbors to be strangers, but they mixed and mingled in the Kendall Yards and West Central neighborhoods Saturday during the inaugural Porch Fest event. … 19
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Kendall Yards works to mesh with surrounding neighbors
Sept. 5, 2014 in Business, City on Page A5 Residents at the edges of the Kendall Yards development say the cool downtown Spokane project has boosted their neighborhoods and transformed an eyesore into a bustling civic gathering spot. Still, … 45
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Spokane giving smaller home lots a tryout
Aug. 22, 2014 in City on Page A1 Affordable homes on smaller, urban lots. That’s how Jim Frank is succeeding in the coveted mixed-use Kendall Yards development on the north edge of the Spokane River gorge. Frank said … 51
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Kendall Yards an instant hit
Aug. 9, 2014 in Business on Page A5 Spokane’s mixed-use Kendall Yards development has become so successful that would-be homebuyers or renters have to get in line. Vacancies or available homes are months out. The list of would-be … 38
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New section of Centennial Trail overlooks Spokane River
Aug. 7, 2014 in City, Outdoors on Page A5 Call it coincidence, but the Centennial Trail is celebrating its 25th anniversary by christening a new portion of Mile 25. The half-mile stretch – called Mile 25 – is notable … 15
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Rock stacks appear in Kendall Yards
July 5, 2014 in City on Page A6 The undeveloped portion of Kendall Yards at the northwest end of the Monroe Street Bridge has become a new display ground for an interesting form of art. Ingenious stacks of … 10
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Centennial Trail one step closer to completion with expected council vote
Nov. 25, 2013 in City, Outdoors on Page A1 By the end of next year another gap in the Centennial Trail will be gone. Almost 2 miles of the trail was paved this year from Riverfront Park through Kendall … 13
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Centennial Trail gets grand addition
Sept. 28, 2013 in City on Page A1 One of the biggest gaps in the Centennial Trail was officially filled Friday with the opening of a scenic mile-and-a-half-long stretch of new trail through Kendall Yards. The trail segment … 17
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Getting There: I-90 work will cause delays for six weeks
Sept. 23, 2013 in City on Page A1 Construction on Interstate 90 in Central Washington will be causing lane restrictions and likely travel delays for the next six weeks, state transportation officials said. The work will mainly affect … 2
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Kendall Yards planning three commercial buildings
Sept. 6, 2013 in Business on Page A5 The developer of the Kendall Yards property near downtown Spokane has plans for three new commercial buildings, including two restaurants and a retail-residential project called the Highline Lofts. The two … 5
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City of Spokane, Kendall Yards team up to clean, use stormwater
Aug. 13, 2013 in City on Page A5 The last chance to look into a 270,000-gallon stormwater tank came and went Monday as workers slid the 50,000-pound lids onto the tank at the eastern edge of Kendall Yards. … 16
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Developer Pete Rayner seeks tax break for project
July 28, 2013 in City on Page B1 A housing plan on the east fringe of Spokane that has been dormant since the 1970s may soon get a jumpstart if tax subsidies for the 220-acre development are approved … 30
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Spokane uses state grants to extend Centennial Trail
July 23, 2013 in City on Page A6 For decades, riding a bike west on the Centennial Trail out of downtown Spokane entailed pedaling next to cars, waiting at red lights and navigating rutted roads. By the end … 3
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Monroe Street Bridge will reopen for Friday commute
June 13, 2013 in City The bridge has been closed to foot and car traffic since June 3 as road crews installed drains and piping for a stormwater retention project. 1
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Monroe Street Bridge closure worries businesses
May 30, 2013 in City on Page A1 Thousands of motorists, and the businesses vying for their attention, may find themselves cursing Monday when the Monroe Street Bridge shuts down for three weeks. “I’m a little peeved,” said … 44
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Kendall Yards gets $350,000 earmark from Washington Legislature
April 28, 2013 in City on Page B3 OLYMPIA – The Kendall Yards development north of the Spokane River would be eligible for $350,000 from the state under an addition to a bill that passed the Senate on … 3
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Here’s the Dirt: Greenstone plans new building
March 31, 2013 in Business on Page E1 Greenstone Corp. is preparing to build its fourth commercial building in the Kendall Yards project in downtown Spokane.
