Project takes off

The dirt is flying at Spokane International Airport.

Graders are preparing the ground for the 300,000 cubic yards of pavement and sub-surface that will raise the northeast end of the main runway by six feet.

Pilots landing small planes on the runway have not been able to see what airplanes or other traffic might be sitting on the runway ahead, or on interconnecting taxiways.

Airport Director Larry Krauter said 18 inches of concrete will be poured on top of underlayment that will include crushed concrete set aside when the original runway was removed.

The 3,000 feet of new pavement and associated signaling is expected to be ready by mid-October, he said.

Acme Concrete Paving is the prime contractor.

Krauter said the work will also complete an overhaul of the runway that included a 2,000-foot extension at the southwest end, bringing the total length to 11,000 feet.

Building materials store opens

Spokane resident Jeff Howard recently opened Overstock Builders Depot at 905 E. Trent Ave., east of downtown.

He’s leasing 9,600 square feet of warehouse space on the south side of the URM Cash & Carry building, at 902 E. Springfield Ave.

Howard was a manager at Habitat for Humanity before starting this business. “I decided now was a good time to get into this, before I got too old,” he said.

The business will sell new overstocked and new building materials, including decking, doors, windows, siding and molding. Most of the items are interior products, Howard said.

The business is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and by appointment.

Mark McLees of NAI Black was the broker for the property owner.

Apartment project coming

Spokane Housing Ventures expects to break ground this summer on a 120-unit mixed-income apartment project at 3223 E. 55th Ave., on the Moran Prairie.

Called 55th Avenue Apartments, the development will comprise six two-story buildings with apartments that will be managed by Spokane Housing Ventures.

Whitewater Creek Inc. of Hayden, Idaho, is co-developer and contractor for the $13-million project.

The seven-acre site is roughly a half-mile south and east of the South Hill ShopKo Store at 45th and Regal.

Ground should be broken by July with first units available in spring of 2012, said Helen Stevenson, manager of acquisitions and development for SHV.

Since this is planned as a “work force” housing development, most of the residents will be individuals or families earning less than 60 percent of the area’s median income, or roughly $30,000.

Antique store to close

A longtime antique store in the Hillyard neighborhood is preparing to close, and the owner says a slumping economy and spotty sales are to blame.

Beverly Nevin says she hopes to close Aunt Bea’s Antiques on the corner of Market Street and Olympic Avenue within the next few weeks. She’s running a sale on her large collection: Fenton glass, Duncan Phyfe furniture, scales from the Alaska Gold Rush, porcelain, paintings, mirrors, chairs.

“I’m as healthy as I can be. I’m not retiring, I just can’t do this anymore,” Nevin said sitting in her shop Wednesday. “It’s hard to close the store. I love it. I live it. I breathe it. It’s my life.”

Nevin has leased the building for more than 20 years. Before that, she had a small store on Garland Avenue and figures she’s been in the antique store business about 35 years.

On Saturday, during the Hillyard Hop car show, Aunt Bea’s will have a 40 percent off sale all day. And there’s plenty of stock: a back room contains about as much as customers see stocked in the store.

For more news of Hillyard, go to www.spokesman.com/blogs/ hillyard.

Nightclub makes a Splash

The Coeur d’Alene Resort this weekend will open a new nightclub in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

Splash, near the corner of Sherman Avenue and Second Street, features a dance floor, high-tech lighting and sound system, and a stage for live music. Garage-style doors open up to connect the club action with the street.

The club will serve drinks and food at streetside tables along Sherman, or at VIP booths inside, beginning at lunchtime daily. Entertainment will include live music, go-go dancers, themed events and the latest dance club hits.

A weeklong grand opening celebration kicks off Saturday and features music from The Hit Men and Nu Jack City.

The club’s weekly schedule includes live music Thursday through Saturday all summer long, along with karaoke on Sunday, racing night on Monday, beer pong on Tuesday, ladies night on Wednesday and tropics night on Thursday.

Splash is at 115 S. Second St. It’s open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Call (208) 765-4000 or visit cdaresort.com.