Topics
Kendall Yards
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.
Key people
-
Marshall Chesrown
Marshall Chesrown was the original developer of Kendall Yards. He grew up in Spokane, made his fortune selling a Denver automotive empire in 1997, and returned to the Inland Northwest to go into real estate.
More information
Latest updates in this topic
Spokane uses state grants to extend Centennial Trail
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 …
Monroe Street Bridge will reopen for Friday commute
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.
Monroe Street Bridge closure worries businesses
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 …
Kendall Yards gets $350,000 earmark from Washington Legislature
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 …
Here’s the Dirt: Greenstone plans new building
Greenstone Corp. is preparing to build its fourth commercial building in the Kendall Yards project in downtown Spokane.
Getting There: Kendall Yards park to serve as stormwater filter
Water that runs off parking lots and down street gutters carries drops of oil, bits of metal, de-icer chemicals and tire residue, among other pollutants. Some of that dirty water …
Construction of apartments at Kendall Yards to begin soon
Work on an 84-unit, 2.2-acre Kendall Yards apartment building will start in 30 days, the head of developer Greenstone Corp. said Tuesday. The project, called The Highline Apartments, will move …
New-home construction on rise across region after dismal 2011
Danny Sullivan, owner of Danny Sullivan Construction, said 2012 has been his company’s busiest year ever. He adds with a laugh, however, that he started the Spokane business six years …
Local spa will move into Kendall Yards site
Spa Paradiso, the downtown Spokane beauty care business in the Davenport Hotel, will move into new space in the Kendall Yards development, owners Jan and Larry Schoonover said. The spa …
Spa Paradiso to move to Kendall Yards
Spa Paradiso, the downtown beauty care business in the Davenport Hotel, will move into new space in the Kendall Yards development, owners Jan and Larry Schoonover said.
Cedar Plaza getting first restaurant
Spokane chef David Blaine said he will open the first restaurant in the new Kendall Yards development near downtown. Blaine, with more than 20 years of experience in local restaurants, …
Work begins on missing Centennial Trail link
Twenty years after the Centennial Trail opened in the Spokane area, work has started on what has always been considered a key missing piece: the two miles running west from …
Spokane chef plans first restaurant for Kendall Yards
Spokane chef David Blaine said he will open the first restaurant in the new Kendall Yards development near downtown. Blaine, who has worked in area restaurants for more than 20 …
Next Kendall Yards phase begins
The company developing Kendall Yards has started construction of the first commercial building and is finishing plans for a second as it tackles the next phase of Spokane’s largest mixed-use …
Grocery store proposed for Kendall Yards
Kendall Yards is bringing home the bacon. Bread and produce, too.
City votes to amend Kendall Yards deal
Tax subsidies will flow to Kendall Yards even if the developer of the 78-acre project does not seek public bids on construction of streets, sewers and other public infrastructure, as …
Bidding issue complicates Kendall Yards agreement
Developers of the highly anticipated Kendall Yards project violated an agreement with the city that allows the project to receive tax subsidies to build streets, sewers and other infrastructure. Greenstone …
Parking garage planned near courthouse
The Spokane County courthouse’s lack of parking is legendary, but help may be on the way. Except for jurors, anyone with business in the courthouse and surrounding public buildings is …
Here’s the Dirt: South Hill gaining medical building
A foot-and-ankle specialist and dentist will occupy a two-story office building just under construction at 3707 S. Grand Blvd. The $2 million building will encompass 8,700 square feet on the …
Kendall Yards developer expects residential units by year’s end
Work on 60 residential units at Kendall Yards in Spokane will be completed or ongoing by the end of the year, developer Jim Frank said. Of the 18 condominiums, townhouses …
Construction starts on Kendall Yards
Ide Avenue west of Monroe Street is closed to traffic starting Thursday until an undetermined date due to development of the Kendall Yards site.
Kendall Yards gets new life
Greenstone Corp. on Thursday revived the Kendall Yards development on the north bank of the Spokane River. The first 18 units of the $25 million residential and commercial project should …
Work begins on Kendall Yards housing
With the planting of a tree, developer Jim Frank today revived the Kendall Yards development on the north bank of the Spokane River.
Editorial: Property tax incentives will pay off in long run
In the endless carrot vs. stick quandary, there was good news this week for those who favor carrots. As expected, the Spokane City Council approved a property tax exemption for …
Tax exemptions OK’d for Kendall Yards
The eventual owners of 279 proposed residences in Kendall Yards will not have to pay property taxes on the new townhouses, condos and apartments for 12 years.
Kendall Yards given qualified approval for first phase of development plan
Spokane Hearing Examiner Greg Smith on Friday approved the first phase of the revised development plan for Kendall Yards – but with a lengthy list of conditions. He also called …
Kendall Yards tax benefit sought
Owners of nearly 300 residences in the Kendall Yards development won’t have to pay property taxes on the new structures for a dozen years under a proposal the Spokane City …
Local economy didn’t escape the downturn
The economy cast a long shadow over everything in 2009. The recession and efforts at recovery set the scene for top business news in the Inland Northwest, from the shaky …
Scaled-back Kendall Yards plans offer better fit for Spokane
Greenstone Corp. last week closed a deal five years in the doing. And not a moment too soon for Spokane government and business officials weary of economic headwinds.
Kendall Yards buyer touts range of housing options
A venerable home builder is bringing new hope to a stalled downtown Spokane development project. Greenstone Corp. has purchased the Kendall Yards property with plans to build a waterfront neighborhood …
Greenstone will pump $500 million into Kendall Yards
Greenstone Corp. will invest $500 million in the revived Kendall Yards project over the next 15 years, President Jason Wheatley said Thursday.
Amid cleanup dispute, project could have new developer
An $8 million legal dispute has erupted over the bill to clean up pollutants at Kendall Yards, the stalled housing and business project along the north bank of the Spokane …