Spokane shines in magnificent Lighthouse efforts

Joel Crosby has been involved in plenty of real estate transactions over the years.

But the broker at Tomlinson Black’s South Hill office recently took part in one that was especially meaningful – helping Lighthouse for the Blind find a place for a Spokane-area manufacturing facility.

“I think this was the most rewarding transaction I’ve done,” Crosby said. “It was a very impressive company. All the people involved were top-quality and had the utmost integrity.”

Lighthouse, based in Seattle, contracts with companies through the Northwest for light manufacturing projects. Clients include larger names like Boeing and Nike plus many smaller companies which need manufacturing assistance.

The not-for-profit also works to offer quality employment, along with assistance and resources for the blind. The majority of employees, including president Kirk Adams, are blind. It is considered the largest regional employer for the blind, and the largest employer nationally for the deaf-blind population.

In 2006, Lighthouse began looking across the Northwest for areas to expand into, not just its contract base, but its ability to help a larger population.

At the same time, Greater Spokane Incorporated was looking for companies that might be interested in relocating or expanding to Spokane and Eastern Washington.

Stan Key, GSI’s industry manager for manufacturing, met Adams during a Prosperity Partnerships recruiting trip to Seattle.

Adams and members of the Lighthouse staff were invited to the area and began scouting out possible locations. They also began conversations with Spokane Transit Authority, the city of Spokane’s planning department and area blind resources.

“We showed them a lot of buildings, but they were unclear on what size they needed,” Key said.

Conversations continued, and then last year, Adams contacted Crosby, a longtime part of the real estate community with plenty of experience in commercial projects, for help. Crosby went to Seattle to learn more about the company.

“I went through their factory and it was all extremely impressive,” he said. “They had more than 200 jobs for the blind, and it was amazing to watch.”

Decades ago, Lighthouse employees mainly assembled things like brooms. But now, they have sophisticated computer equipment that lets them take part in high-tech projects for clients like Boeing.

After this visit, Crosby and Key invited Lighthouse personnel back to look at other possible sites.

Eventually, they decided that a former Tidyman’s location at Lyons and Addison would be a great fit. There’s plenty of room inside for manufacturing operations, and also room on the lot for future expansion.

The city said the zoning was acceptable, and the site is also near two STA route stops. It’s close to an affordable housing area, plus shops and restaurants.

“It was a long process to look at all the options, but this is a great use,” Crosby said.

Key said everyone fell in love with the site.

Lighthouse and Greater Spokane made the announcement of the $3.6 million transaction in early January, and the nonprofit hopes to have at least 10 people hired in a few months. Full operation, with at least 40-50 employees, many blind, is a goal in the next few years.

Crosby said the deal is good, not just for another company coming to town, but because it’s so hard for the blind to find quality employment.

Everyone involved in this effort was supportive, Key said.

“It’s always our goal to make sure we take care of all the needs of a possible client, and it’s nice that everything came together,” he said. “We’re creating new jobs, taking an inactive property and bringing a company that produces jobs for a segment of the population.”

Like Crosby, Key said this project was very satisfying to everyone.

He said Greater Spokane will continue to talk with Lighthouse officials for future needs or for any concerns that come up.

“We view ourselves not only as sales and recruiting, but service afterward,” he said.

•For more information about Lighthouse visit www.seattlelighthouse.org/

•For more information about Greater Spokane visit www.greaterspokane.net/

•For more information about Crosby and real estate opportunities visit www.tb.com/agents.asp?

PersonnelID=2083.