Here’s the Dirt: N. Side storage facility expansion nearly complete

Developer Harlan Douglass is nearly done doubling the capacity of his Self Storage of Spokane facility in north Spokane.

The total complex will eventually grow to about 1,000 storage units when finished, said company operations manager Jon Johnson.

The facility is called Self Storage on North Foothills, at 322 E. North Foothills Drive.

In 2005 Douglass started by erecting eight buildings there, creating 550 storage units.

The current expansion adds four buildings and 440 more storage units, Johnson said. The last of the four new buildings comes online in six weeks.

The spaces measure from 5-by-5 to 15-by-50 feet.

Douglass said he had no plans to build an empire of storage sites around the area. “I don’t see us doing that. I’m 72 and that is not something I need to do,” he said.

Johnson said Spokane’s demand for storage space has not been affected by the recession. Research around the community finds that residents here continue needing storage space, he said.

“You can have unemployment in an area and continue to see a need (for storage),” Johnson said.

One explanation: Workers leaving this area for jobs elsewhere are parking items in storage as they search other career options.

Adventist school almost finished

Work is nearing completion on a new private Christian school on Spokane’s west side, near Palisades Park.

The 14-classroom, 30,000-square-foot building at 1115 N. Government Way will allow the Seventh-day Adventist Church school to move from four buildings it rents at 1888 N. Wright Drive – the old Spokane Lutheran School.

The school, presently with about 130 students in preschool through 10th grade, will move in in late July, Principal Brian Harris said.

The new school will open in late August and have room for up to 175 students, Harris said.

“We’re just excited to be moving over there and opening our doors up,” he said. “It’s a beautiful school building. We feel blessed to have that as a representation of our school.”

The building was designed by Mike Christensen of Form Architecture in Spokane. The school is serving as general contractor.

The project costs about $3.5 million, from donations and support from the Upper Columbia Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

A second phase of construction is planned, though no start date has been set. It will add a gymnasium, cafeteria and music room to the school.

Work began on the school building about two years ago. It sits on a lot spanning about 38 acres.

The Evergreen Archery Club leases space on the bluff above the school.

The school first opened in 1940. Today it has eight full-time teachers and includes a day care and online options for students in 11th and 12th grades.

Yarn, fiber store opens

The Lake City’s new fiber and yarn store, CDA Yarn and Fiber, opened its doors at 2433 N. Government Way.

Owner Andrea Rainey says the store will be a haven for yarn and fiber enthusiasts and knitters across North Idaho.

Its products include a selection of traditional fibers along with organic and recycled yarns, she said.

The store also sells books. Rainey will also offer regular fiber classes at the store.

Schedules can be found at cdayarnandfiber.com.