Anthony’s riverside building to be sold

Perhaps the choicest piece of property in Spokane’s city real estate portfolio is going up for sale.

The Spokane City Council voted unanimously Monday to sell the building where Anthony’s Restaurants has served seafood with a view of the Spokane Falls since 2004.

Council members speculated that the existing restaurant building could be replaced by a hotel or some other higher-intensity use.

City administration officials said they are going to issue a request for proposals in what will essentially become a bidding process for the property at 520 N. Lincoln St.

Proposals will have to include a letter of intent and $10,000 earnest money.

City officials said they have already received several inquiries.

Councilman Mike Allen said he wants the sale to be contingent on continued public access to the view of the falls, and he asked for that contingency to be included in the request-for-proposals document.

The city bought the property 15 years ago for $2.78 million amid plans to build a bridge on the Lincoln Street alignment.

That proposal stirred controversy, and the bridge proposal was blocked by state regulators because it would have been built over part of the Lower Falls.

The triple A-frame restaurant building was erected in 1965 to house the Polynesia Restaurant but became the popular Black Angus Steakhouse for 22 years starting in 1966.

In 1994, Salty’s at the Falls moved into the building, and then a special events facility operated there after the city purchased the land.

Earlier this year, Mayor David Condon said he wanted his staff to take a look at some 1,600 city-owned properties for possible sale.