The Dirt: $45 million residential complex below Hamilton Street overpass in works

A 267-unit, four-building residential complex may be built along Martin Luther King Jr. Way below the Hamilton Street overpass, according to documents filed with the city.

The $45 million project, River Bend Development, would be built in phases between MLK Way and the Spokane River. One of the tallest buildings, at seven floors, would stand at the three-way intersection of MLK Way and Erie Street. Another seven-story building will stand to the west, on the other side of the overpass.

The units would be a mix of studio, and one- and two-bedroom apartments. In all, the buildings would have nearly 75,000 square feet of space, and the development would have 250 parking spaces.

The estimated start date for the work is April 2020, but the project is in predevelopment conference with the city and has not been officially approved.

The property is owned by Sagamore Spokane LLL, which is based in Phoenix. It is being designed by Rustin Hall with Spokane’s ALSC Architects. – N.D.

Downtown medical office building, garage to be converted to apartments

The nine-story Qualmed Building near Spokane’s Lewis and Clark High School is being converted from an office building to a mixed-use and residential building, according to documents filed with the city.

The building at 508 W. Sixth Ave. will have 85 apartments when complete, and the developer is seeking a 12-year multifamily tax exemption from the city.

The building was built in 1962 as a medical office building, which it has remained since construction. At the time it was built, an adjacent 14-level parking garage was constructed that contained an “enormous lift which raised cars into slots,” according to plans filed with the city.

“The valet-dependent system was soon abandoned and the parking facility has remained empty and unused for over 50 years,” documents read.

Every other floor of the garage will be removed, and the remaining seven floors will be developed into a mix of one-bedroom, studio and “micro-apartment” units. About 42 apartments will be in the former garage.

The bottom five floors of the office building will remain offices, but the top four floors will be converted into 32 units, also a mix of one-bedroom, studio and “micro-apartment” units.

The building, with its recognizable honeycomb-like facade, was purchased in October for $1.2 million by 6th Avenue Partners LLC, which is governed by local developer Nick Brumback and David Squire, a Portland-based commercial real estate agent. – N.D.

Mixed-use apartment building to fill former emissions testing site

A four-story apartment building with ground-floor retail will be built on the site of the state’s motor vehicle emission inspection station on Hamilton Street, according to city permit data.

The $9.2 million Philomena Project at 920 N. Hamilton St. would have a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments on the top three floors. The first story would be reserved for retail, commercial or a restaurant. The building would have more than 100,000 square feet and would front Hamilton. A parking lot would be behind the building and hidden from the street.

A separate $6.2 million, four-story parking garage also has been proposed on the property, which was purchased for $2.9 million in July by Philomena LLC.

The site became available for development after the state decided to end its mandatory vehicle emissions testing beginning in 2020. For nearly 40 years, the state has required all vehicles get tested before their registration could be renewed. The agency anticipates air quality will continue to improve as “newer, cleaner vehicles replace older, less-efficient models.”

The project is led by Kent Hull, who owns Philomena LLC and the Iron Bridge Corporate Park on Trent Avenue. It is being designed by Ron Joseph. – N.D.

Rodda Paint foresees return to former site on Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley

Rodda Paint could be returning to its former location on Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley, according to preliminary plans filed with the city.

Spokane Valley-based Walls Construction Corp. filed plans on behalf of Rodda Paint to build a 15,000-square-foot retail building with attached space for a second tenant and a truck loading zone at 6818 E. Sprague Ave.

After a fire destroyed Rodda Paint’s store at that address in June, the company moved to 409 E. Thierman Road.

Rodda Paint District Manager Brad Gisolo said the company wants to relocate to its former site but plans have yet to be finalized.

Spokane-based Labar Architecture Inc. is the project architect.

Rodda Paint is a family-owned paint manufacturer headquartered in Portland. It manufacturers and distributes paint, high-performance industrial coatings and professional painting supplies through its 57 full-service stores in the Northwest, Montana, California, Utah and Alaska. Rodda Paint is a division of Surrey, B.C.-based Cloverdale Group. – A.E.

Coast Aluminum planning new distribution warehouse in Spokane Valley

California-based Coast Aluminum & Architectural Inc. is planning a new distribution warehouse in Spokane Valley.

Spokane Valley-based Architectural Ventures, the project designer, filed a preliminary application with the city to build a 73,500-square-foot distribution warehouse and a 3,200-square-foot office on a vacant site in the Pinecroft Business Park.

Thomas Clark, president of Coast Aluminum & Architectural Inc., was listed on the application as owner of the 4-acre site.

Clark was not immediately available for comment.

Coast Aluminum was founded in Hayward, California, as a branch of Clark Metals in 1982. The company was incorporated in 1991 and has expanded to several locations in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico.

The company, which fabricates metal and alloy products, has branches in Kent and the Spokane Industrial Park in Spokane Valley. – A.E.

Contact Nicholas Deshais at (509) 459-5440 or at nickd@spokesman.com.

Amy Edelen may be reached at (509) 459-5581 or at amye@spokesman.com.