The Dirt: STCU opening new CdA branch

Spokane Teachers Credit Union will open a downtown Coeur d’Alene branch, its 20th location overall, across from McEuen Park.

Remodeling work is set to begin this summer at 401 E. Front Ave. STCU is leasing the former Bank of America branch from Blackridge Properties, and the credit union plans to open its 3,600-square-foot site later this year or in early 2017.

The new branch will have five to seven employees, a drive-thru and ATM.

STCU now operates 18 branches, with 14 in Washington and four in North Idaho, but that will grow to 19 locations in August, when the STCU Qualchan Branch is set to open.

49° North begins housing project

A 49° North partnership started construction this month for the resort’s first residential units. Other upgrades this summer are part of transforming the area into a year-round operation, a 50-mile drive from north Spokane.

The resort, Chewelah Basin Ski Corp., and Alpine Development Group held a groundbreaking Saturday for the first phase of residential structures and the building of infrastructure for the base of the Sunrise Quad chairlift. Construction will bring snowmaking, skiways, bridges, sewer and water systems, and paving of Nelson Creek Road.

The 2016 residential construction includes a single-family home, an eight-unit Alpine Condo building that’s sold out, and a five-unit Glades townhouse with units for sale. Eventually, 49° North plans for up to 2,000 homes and condos and a new ski lodge.

Browne’s Addition site to be for retail

A building with commercial space recently sold in Browne’s Addition.

Bolzano LLC, of Spokane, paid $725,000 for the 6,000-square-foot, two-story structure, at 145 S. Cannon St., near the Elk Public House. Coastal Community Bank was the seller.

The buyers plan to lease out about 2,400 square feet of retail space that includes the main floor and basement, after finishing work is completed. It has residential quarters upstairs.