Businesses Taking Lc’S Relocation In Stride

Downtown businesses seem to be OK with the prospect of over 1,500 Lewis and Clark High School students and staff moving into the neighborhood.

Some are even looking forward to it.

Due to a two-year expansion and remodeling project to LC, students and staff are relocating to the Holley-Mason Building at 157 S. Howard during construction. “I’m really glad to have the kids here,” said Jan Johnson, owner of Flower Design Inc., 180 S. Howard. With luck, students and teachers will become customers, she said.

Although she admits she hasn’t made specific plans, Flower Design Inc. probably will market toward LC around prom time and during other school events.

“I’m working on it,” she said.

Flower Design seems typical of many businesses in the area that are not overly concerned about the move. Actually, many businesses expect that the move will only marginally affect them.

There are concerns, however.

The loss of nearby parking meters is somewhat of an issue for Johnson. Some meters will be removed from the block around Holley-Mason to create bus-loading zones for students on Stevens, Second and Howard.

“We depend on people being able to pull over and come in the store,” she said.

Johnson hopes that the loss of parking for customers will be offset by a gain in student and teacher customers.

The bus zone on Second Avenue may interfere with traffic on the busy arterial, said Roxanne Wickward, part-owner of Panache Salon, 416 W. Second.

“I hope they are going to accommodate the traffic, is all,” she said.

She also said the most important thing is doing what’s best for students’ education.

The main concern of downtown businesses is that students have a good shopping experience, said Downtown Spokane Partnership Marketing Director Annie Matlow.

“We recognize that the students are an important segment of the customer population,” she said.

Kershaw’s Inc., which sells business supplies, is just north of Holley-Mason. Manager Carolyn Behrens didn’t seem concerned.

“I think we’re going to experience some inconvenience, but I’m confident that the school is going to do everything they can to help,” she said.

So far, the district has already taken steps to mitigate any inconvenience by working with downtown to extend its Ambassadors Program to the corridor between LC and Holley-Mason, where most students are expected to be.

Simply renovating the HolleyMason Building has been a definite plus for the local business community, said building owner Rob Brewster.

“Between LC and Holley-Mason, over $50 million has been pumped into this area,” he said.

“It’s really cleaning up the neighborhood,” he said.

What was once a derelict building and fire hazard is now a productive and attractive building that offers an interesting space for tenants, he said.

In addition to the school, which will occupy the basement through fifth floors, the Fitzbillie’s Bakery Cafe will occupy some of the first floor. The cafe will be open in just over a week, Brewster said.

Also on the first floor is an available 1,400-square-foot space, and the entire sixth floor - 19,000 square feet - is still open for rent, as well.

Rent for the spaces will be lower than the market average of $14 to $16 per square foot for the two years that LC occupies the building.