Here’s the Dirt : West Central store will be rebuilt

A West Central store and service station that was gutted by a fire last July is being rebuilt.

Bong’s Market at 2040 W. Boone Ave. should open sometime early this summer, said Bong Cho, who has owned the store with her husband Chin Cho for the past 10 years.

“I can’t wait to reopen. I miss all the people there,” Bong Cho said.

A building permit has been obtained and excavation should begin next week, said Larry Hoffman, president of LH Contracting LLC, which is doing the work.

At 2,600 square feet, the overall building will be smaller than the last location, but will have more retail space, Hoffman explained. Bong’s Market will continue offering gasoline.

Cho said getting to this point has been a long road. Fire investigators determined that the building was probably set ablaze by teenagers who broke in the store to steal beer. No suspects have ever been arrested, she said, adding, “I never thought such a thing could happen to me.”

But the neighborhood is filled with good people, which is why the couple decided to rebuild the market in the same location.

“I can’t get away from there. I don’t know why,” Cho joked, adding, “I’m very happy.”

More condos on the way

A local developer who plans to build a 17-story condo complex in the former 24 Hour Fitness Center location on Riverside Avenue has two smaller condominium projects under way.

Jeff Smith EBJ Holdings LLC, is converting the former Courtesy Communications’ building on the northeast side of 2nd Avenue and Stevens Street into eight condominiums.

EBJ Holdings purchased the turn of the century red-brick building more than a year ago for $900,000 Smith said. His company is doing the construction and Denny Christenson & Associates is doing the architectural plans.

“We have started the work and we hope to have units for sale in the next month or two,” Smith said.

Six of the units will be luxury residential, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and ranging from 1,050 to 1,250 square feet in size. Units will cost $300 to $325 a square foot. Residential condos will feature granite counter tops and pewter entry doors. Secure indoor parking will also be offered.

The commercial condos will be sized at about 1,250 square feet and cost $150 per square foot, Smith said, adding that one unit has already been sold to a health care professional.

Another project currently under way is located at Sixth Avenue and Cedar Street. The building is being converted to 19 units. One-bedroom units cost $110,000 to $115,000 and two-bedroom units are $140,000. Smith said five units have already been sold.

Smith’s proposed Riverside Avenue project isn’t likely to get under way for several years, he said. However, the company expects to finalize the building purchase soon.

Tuscan Ridge still pending

Another hearing is scheduled for people who want to comment on a development that would create 100 condos on a steep bluff near 57th Avenue and Hatch Road.

The hearing, scheduled for April 27 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council chambers, is a continuation of hearings held in early December before Hearing Examiner Greg Smith.

Tuscan Ridge is planned for 25 acres of land owned by Yong Lewis. Hahn Engineering is doing the work for the project, which includes some buildings built on stilts. In December, neighbors filled the council chambers to oppose the project, which they say will increase traffic on already congested roads. They also worry that construction could erode the hillside and possibly lead to the loss of established homes above on the hill.

The hearing examiner will listen to testimony from staff, project engineers and citizens. People can submit written comments during the meeting or send them to Hearing Examiner, City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. 99201.