Commercial growth leads PF boom

POST FALLS – State Highway 41 used to be just a route to get from home to work.

But these days, you can get a tan, a workout, a latte, a pizza and a new cell phone plan along the way.

The intersection of Mullan Avenue and Highway 41, north of Interstate 90, has become a hot spot of commercial development – and another sign that business in Post Falls is booming, city officials say.

“It’s blossomed,” Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin said of the area, which has attracted a Wal-Mart center and a host of office and retail space in the last few years.

“What we’re seeing now is that commercial (development) is coming at a much faster pace than even five years ago. It’s just getting busier and busier. And we’re very grateful for that,” he said.

City officials say they’re thrilled with the growth in Post Falls, with more than $34 million in commercial construction proposed last year and more than $31 million in the first four months of this year.

Since the beginning of 2006, developers have proposed or constructed 42 commercial buildings, 83 commercial additions or alterations, one industrial building and three industrial alterations or additions, according to city records.

“We had a significant increase in the last year. Commercially, we’ve done really well,” said Collin Coles, senior planner for the city of Post Falls.

In the fall, Cabela’s is scheduled to open a sporting-goods store with more than 125,000 square feet, anchoring The Pointe at Post Falls, a mega-retail center near the Stateline exit of I-90. City officials laud the development as possibly the largest commercial windfall in city history.

“The potential there in the next three years, you won’t even recognize it,” said Pam Houser, president and chief executive officer of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce.

“I haven’t seen this kind of growth happen this quickly since I’ve been here. And I’ve been here 35 years,” said Houser, adding that the chamber has grown to 470 members from about 300 only two years ago. “I think it’s exciting, as a citizen, as a longtime resident.”

Commercial growth, Coles said, typically follows surges in residential development, which Post Falls certainly has experienced. Last year, the city approved plans for 900 new homes, condominiums and apartments.

Post Falls’ population boom is expected to continue at a growth rate of 3.5 percent or more per year. City officials predict Post Falls will expand to 30,000 residents in the next six years.

“We certainly have been discovered,” Larkin said.

Here’s a look at commercial developments, which vary from small espresso drive-through stands to large condominium buildings, built or being planned since the beginning of 2006:

“All-Wall Contracting, 723 S. Lochsa St., is nearing completion of a 13,960-square-foot building. The drywall company’s structure is valued at $789,220, according to city records.

“Brennan LLC has completed a 6,208-square-foot commercial building at 761 Thornton St., valued at $409,790.

“Auto dealership Findlay Hyundai opened at 1665 E. Edmonton Ave. with an 18,286-square-foot building valued at $1.67 million.

“Construction of a drive-through Gooseberry Espresso is planned at 411 E. Sixth Ave.

“Construction of Great Floors, a retail flooring center at 3293 W. Seltice Way, has been completed. The 22,259-square-foot building is valued at $1.58 million.

“Construction is pending on the Greensferry Landing Apartments at Tubsgate Place. The six apartment buildings are valued at $4.87 million.

“An addition to the Guardian Angel residential home is nearing completion at 1136 E. Mullan Ave. The 27,840-square-foot addition is valued at $2.68 million.

“Construction of the 12,000-square-foot His Place Church, at 3079 E. 16th, has not been started.

“The Interstate Business Center at 1410 N. Polston has been completed. The 5,600-square-foot building is valued at $400,000.

“JSIX Development’s 9,700-square-foot industrial park building, at 4642 W. Selway Ave., is under construction.

“Construction of the Life Care Center, at 2700, 2800 and 2900 E. Mullan, has not begun. The 62,203-square-foot building will be a skilled-nursing facility.

“North Creek Apartments, 3642 W. Chukar Loop, are under construction. Nine buildings, with 7,289 square feet, are valued at $4.66 million.

“ Construction of the Opportunity office building, 955 Innovation Way, is nearing completion. The 5,000-square-foot industrial park building is valued at $506,802.

“ A 17,034-square-foot storage facility is planned at 5980 Commerce Loop.

“ Post Falls Family Dental Clinic is nearing completion of a 6,320-square-foot office at 313 N. Spokane St. The building is valued at $482,226.

“ Promenade Condos is nearing completion. The $8.3 million project on Promenade Loop will have 130,176 square feet.

“ The River City Center, 900 and 920 N. Highway 41, is finished with 30,882 square feet. The two commercial buildings are valued at $1.63 million.

“Skywagon Condos are complete at 842 and 848 N. Chase Road. The two buildings, with 32,648 square feet, are valued at $3.19 million.

“Spokane Teachers Credit Union has opened a branch at 3903 E. Primrose Lane with 17,926 square feet worth $2 million.

“The Stapleton Building was finished at 514 and 518 Third Ave. The two steel buildings have 3,960 square feet and are worth $138,250.

“A storage building is planned for 410 Potlatch. Stow-N-Go Storage is expected to have 17,352 square feet.

“Time Warner finished a small unmanned communications center at 1100 N. Cecil Road. The size and value were unavailable.

“A UPS Store opened at 1869 E. Seltice Way in a 2,584-square-foot building worth $179,297.

“Volvo Rents finished a 6,600-square-foot commercial building at 573 N. Idahline Road worth $477,224.

“Wilkinson Business Park finished a 7,020-square-foot commercial building at 6512 W. Seltice Way worth $245,082.

“Cabela’s has begun construction of a 129,317-square-foot sporting-goods store at The Pointe near the state line. The highly anticipated retail building is valued at $8.09 million.

“The city of Post Falls is constructing a 40,000-square-foot City Hall at 408 N. Spokane St. valued at $3.84 million.

“Community First Bank is improving its building at 707 N. Post. The 2,700-square-foot project is valued at $400,000.

“Highland Crossing is beginning construction of a retail office building at 775 N. Highway 41. The 5,541-square-foot building is valued at $292,609.

“Light & Life Christian Fellowship is planning a 9,100-square-foot church at 3555 E. 12th Ave.

“Living Stone Granite is planning a 6,000-square-foot retail office building at 4392 W. Seltice Way.

“Montrose Seniors and Montrose Family are under construction at 2320 N. Compass Loop. Sixty senior town homes and 60 units of family housing will have a total of 168,918 square feet valued at more than $12.12 million.

“Morrison Accounting is constructing a 6,381-square-foot building with combined commercial and residential uses at 336 N. Frederick valued at $495,021.

“River Pines Senior is planning a 47,100-square-foot senior apartments and assisted-living facility at 1128 N. Cecil, formerly the location of Quad Park. The value of the facility was not available.

“A Sonic Drive-In under construction at 750 N. Highway 41 will have 2,774 square feet of space valued at $168,727.

“Construction of 49,654-square-foot West Ridge Elementary School, valued at $5.63 million, is planned at 1758 N. Clark Fork.