PFD considers eminent domain request for block

The Spokane Public Facilities District is readying a request that eminent domain be used to help it acquire the city block south of the INB Performing Arts Center.

A resolution on the matter will be considered by the board at its upcoming Feb. 27 meeting. If it passes, it will be forwarded to the city of Spokane, which would be responsible for any further legal motions, said Stanley Schwartz, PFD attorney, after the board’s meeting Tuesday.

Three tenants own the site. Glen Cloninger, a Spokane architect, controls about half the 120,000-square-foot block. But he’s refused to entertain offers since last fall, when he took the land off the market, said Kevin Twohig, PFD executive director.

Diamond Parking owns about 20 percent of the land and is considering an offer the PFD made late last year, Twohig said. The PFD already owns the remainder of the property, which would likely be used for parking and future convention center expansion space.

The property is bounded by Spokane Falls Boulevard, Main Avenue, and Washington and Bernard streets.