Agencies Hire Architect To Study Proposed Business Enterprise Center

Spokane’s privatesector business and economic development agencies have hired an architect to size up their space needs if they move in together.

The Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Spokane Area Economic Development Council have been studying such a move for months. The Spokane Valley Chamber also is involved in the study, but is unlikely to join the others.

A 16-member co-location team led by Garman Lutz has selected Ben Nielsen of Northwest Architectural Co. in Spokane to provide space-needs analysis and facilities planning.

Lutz, chief financial officer of Empire Health, said housing the separate agencies in a one-stop ‘business enterprise center’ could improve operating efficiencies. Even more, it would effectively showcase business and economic development services in the community and project a stronger presence.

Spokane Area Chamber President Rich Hadley said, “The space needs analysis will clarify and quantify what it would cost to co-locate. Before a final decision can be made, our boards must determine whether co-location is affordable.”

A financial plan and final decision on whether the project is a go are expected by late spring. “But it’s more important to do this right than quick,” said Lutz, “so we’ll take the time needed for a good solution.”

Resolution sets stage for new study

Relief may be on the way for tens of thousands of Washington citizens forced to buy individual health care policies in the open market at skyrocketing rates, reports State Sen. John Moyer.

Moyer, a pivotal figure in enactment of Washington’s landmark health-care reform act and its subsequent repeal, says a bipartisan Senate resolution he helped author addresses the problem.

It says the insurance industry and the State Health Care Policy Board must arrive at a solution and report to lawmakers in January. “We’ll get this problem solved,” pledged the Spokane physician/lawmaker, “but we must keep the pressure on to accomplish it.”

But State Insurance Commission Deborah Senn, from whom most of the pressure has come, says the resolution doesn’t amount to much.

“Words are nice, but actions speak louder,” said the crusty crusader for reform. “Dr. Moyer is talking about a resolution to do a study of a crisis - not a law to deal with it. We’ve studied health care to death.”

Senn vows crackdown on insurers

On the other hand, part of the 1993 health care reform act which still survives is being violated by insurers, and Senn says she’s about to lower the boom.

Eleven insurance companies are suing her office to block enforcement of the law. But Senn stresses, “The every-category-of-provider section of the reform act is in force, and will be enforced.”

The section in dispute requires every health plan to ensure access to every category of provider treating any and all conditions covered in the state’s Basic Health Plan. Also, carriers must actually cover claims, not merely contract with the providers.

Qualifying providers run the gamut from acupuncturists and massage therapists to hypnotherapists, from chiropractors and naturopaths to licensed midwives.

“The companies are really dragging their feet,” reports Senn, “and we’re getting ready to force compliance. We’re probably going to have an investigatory hearing in about a month.

“People having a problem getting access or coverage to which they are entitled by law can help themselves,” counseled Senn, “by calling us at (800) 562-6900.”

Home prices out of reach for many

Andrew R. Reid, executive director of the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium, sheds added light on a recent item in this column concerning growth management and home prices. In that report, Al Haslebacher of the Spokane Home Builders Association warned that drawing urban growth boundaries too tight could end up pricing many more buyers out of the market.

“I share Mr. Haslebacher’s concern that implementation of urban growth boundaries may lead to higher land costs,” writes Reid. “We need to work together to ensure the effect is minimal. But we should not leave the impression that home ownership is currently an option available to most Spokane families.”

According to Reid, the latest First Time Buyer Affordability Index figure for Spokane County was 78.7. “That,” he says, “means a family with an income 70 percent of the area household median (or $20,602) has only 78.7 percent of the income necessary to purchase a home valued at 85 percent (or $84,235) of the median home price. And this index assumes the household has a 10 percent cash down payment!”

, DataTimes MEMO: Associate Editor Frank Bartel writes a notes column each Wednesday. If you have business items of regional interest for future columns, call 459-5467 or fax 459-5482.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Frank Bartel The Spokesman-Review