WSU to negotiate with Denver outfit on Jensen-Byrd redevelopment

Washington State University will continue negotiations for redeveloping a 3.5-acre chunk of its Riverpoint Campus with Denver-based healthcare real estate developer NexCore Group after choosing its proposal over three concepts by other companies, including local developer Wells & Co.

NexCore’s proposal for the land, located on the southeast corner of Pines Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard, calls for health research and academic-related programs “that would be a good tie to the university and sort of what our mission is here on campus,” said Ryan Ruffcorn, project manager for WSU, who declined to comment on specifics. The company would bring a “flagship” health care tenant, he said. The parcels include the historic Jensen-Byrd Building, which WSU has forbade tearing down.

No word yet from the company on its exact plans.