Excavation Changes View For King Family Big Equipment Works Around Basalt Outcroppings In/Around: Cliff Park

Thu., March 9, 2000

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

Motorists driving on 14th Avenue between Bernard and Lincoln may be wondering what kind of construction is occurring at 14th and Wall.

Huge excavators and trucks have been moving rock and earth around several basalt formations at the intersection.

The property is part of a double residential lot owned by Fred and Nancy King, who live in the house at 623 W. 13th.

Nancy King said they are expanding their home with the addition of an indoor swimming pool, recreation room and spa. Kilgore Construction was hired for the job.

The couple, who have lived there for more than 20 years, have been raising a family of four boys.

Fred King, an architect, designed the addition.

“We are looking to have fun,” said Nancy King.

“We thought it would give the boys something more to do.”

The dramatic pillow basalt formations that ring the outer portion of the lot are not being removed, she said.

“We would never get rid of those,” she said.

The lot at one time held an older home that was destroyed by fire more than 20 years ago. A proposal to put up a small apartment house was opposed by the Cliff Park neighborhood.

The Kings eventually built a modern single-family home on the double lot.

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