First phase complete at Post Falls Landing

Post Falls Landing is continuing to take shape with two more condominium buildings in the works and a marina set to open this spring.

This week, developer Harry Green officially will kick off the second phase of the project with the opening of a reception center and the advance release of condo units and marina slips, said Gary Whitman, operations manager for the Spokane developer.

The first phase of the project, which included two 20-unit condo buildings, is finished, Whitman said. Ground for it was broken in fall 2005.

Post Falls city leaders hope the 33-acre project, located on a former Louisiana-Pacific mill site along the Spokane River, will be a boon to downtown development.

“The city is pleased that a couple of buildings are done,” Post Falls City Administrator Eric Keck said. “We’ll have to be patient and see how it unfolds over time.”

The master plan calls for 450 residential units, along with retail and office space, the marina, a town square, hotel and conference center, health club and restaurants and an amphitheater.

The developer plans to pursue the commercial and retail aspects of the project this summer, Whitman said.

“We’re planning a restaurant and also planning a hotel, and we have interested parties there,” Whitman said last week.

Construction of the marina began last summer. The 142-slip marina, built just 900 feet upriver from Avista Utilities’ Post Falls dam, will include a 1,000-foot dock, convenience store and gas station.

A boardwalk, about one-third complete, will follow the river, stretching from the Spokane Street bridge to Falls Park, Whitman said.

Construction of two more condo buildings, with a total of 67 units, is to start late this summer, Whitman said. Advance reservations for the units will begin this coming week, he said.

Prices range from about $370,000 to more than $900,000, Whitman said.