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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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A Long And Winding Road

Here’s a brief history of Spokane Transit Authority’s downtown bus station:

May 26, 1988 - STA earmarks up to $13.5 million for a station to shelter riders and remove the “wall of buses” on downtown streets.

Oct. 26, 1989 - STA board picks Don Barbieri’s CenterPlace proposal for a transit center topped with a privately owned hotel, offices and stores at Riverside and Wall.

Feb. 22, 1990 - Board approves $7.5 million for STA’s portion of CenterPlace.

Feb. 28, 1991 - After Barbieri’s bank loan falls through, STA approves $12.5 million for a revised project.

March 27, 1991 - Barbieri cancels CenterPlace plans amid a legal challenge and problems with financing.

Dec. 19, 1991 - No investors show an interest in replacing Barbieri. STA board votes to build a two-story transit center.

Feb. 13, 1992 - Ninety percent of the business leaders at a forum say they oppose the project. A week later, the STA board votes 5-3 to stay the course.

June 8, 1992 - The Spokane City Council narrowly reaffirms its support for the project. Mayor Sheri Barnard, whose support had wavered, casts swing vote.

Aug. 27, 1992 - STA approves $11.2 million for construction, bringing center’s cost to $15.9 million.

Nov. 23, 1992 - STA awards the $7.1 million contract to Shea Construction Inc., one of only two contractors to bid. Other companies boycott because STA restricts contractor’s ability to get more money for cost overruns.

Jan. 8, 1993 - Barnard calls for a public vote on the project. She backs down when Barbieri says the center is key to his plans to fill the vacant Crescent building.

July 9, 1993 - Developer David Guthrie convinces the STA board to delay construction 30 days so he can develop a plan to put a tower over the center.

Aug. 4, 1993 - Guthrie scraps tower proposal, citing too many restrictions.

Sept. 23, 1993 - Faced with rising construction costs, STA board unanimously approves another $2 million for construction, making $17 million total.

September 1994 - STA board, acknowledging its in-house architect is overwhelmed by the project, hires an outside consultant. By January, he is working full time.

Jan. 29, 1995 - The SpokesmanReview reviews 1,500 STA documents and reports the cost of the center has reached $20 million. Causes include rising steel prices, ground conditions, hundreds of change orders and delays.

, DataTimes