Substation Expanding

Avista Utilities has broken ground on a substation expansion project at 6102 E. Eighth.

The expanded substation is designed to improve reliability of service, allow service to be restored more quickly, and allow for future growth in the Valley, according to officials at Avista, formerly Washington Water Power.

Expansion will be completed in three phases over the next nine years.

The project is one of several WWP started following the 1996’s ice storm, which left many customers without electricity for long periods of time.

The existing substation, located at the corner of 10th Avenue and Dickey Street, will be expanded to four times its current size on a lot bounded by Eighth Avenue on the north, 10th Avenue on the south, Dickey Street on the west and Eastern Road on the east.

The project includes a new switching station, construction of new transmission lines and integration of existing transmission lines.

The site currently is being graded. Fencing, foundation and steel work will take place over the spring and summer. By fall, crews will begin installation of electrical equipment. The new switching station will be finished by summer of 2000.

Future expansions on the site will depend upon population growth in the area, Avista officials said.

Skyway discontinues dinner

The Skyway Cafe at Felts Field has scaled back its hours and discontinued its dinner menu.

A sparse dinner crowd, especially since fall, led co-owner Terry Maxfield to make the changes. The popular breakfast and lunch stop will now close at 3 p.m.

The restaurant may extend its hours until 5 p.m. during the spring and summer months, but it will serve breakfast and lunch only.

The breakfast and lunch menus haven’t changed, with the exception of a few new items such as the garbage omelette and the garbage scramble.

The cafe, located in the historic terminal building at Felts Field, was renovated in 1997.

Jewelry shop opens Monday

Artistry in Gold Inc., a jewelry design, repair and manufacturing business, will open Monday at 13817 E. Sprague, Suite 7.

Dutch Pfitzer, co-owner of the business, has worked as a goldsmith in the Spokane area since 1972. He and his wife, Laurie, have worked at Jewelry Design Center for the last six years. The couple will own and manage the jewelry shop together.

In addition to the Pfitzers’ own designs, the store will feature the work of other local goldsmiths. It will offer redesign and repair of heirlooms and other older pieces. Artistry in Gold also will sell diamonds and gemstones.

All work will be done on the premises.

National Golf moving

National Golf is relocating from the University City Shopping Center to 9616 E. Sprague, the former home of Northwest Fabrics.

The new location will offer better visibility for the 6,000-square-foot store, manager Tom Ratkovich said. The new location is expected to be open by Monday, possibly sooner, Ratkovich said.

National Golf sells clubs, golf bags, shoes, clothing and other golf accessories.