Small duplex development coming to East Central neighborhood

A duplex is being built on a vacant lot along First Avenue just east of Napa Street, according to city permit data.

The $250,000 project at 1924 E. First Ave. will bring two, two-bedroom units to Spokane’s East Central neighborhood, replacing a home that was demolished in 2010.

Each unit will be 1,020 square feet and will have a covered deck. Parking will be on-street.

The property is owned by Ricardo and Lourdes Zacapantzi, who purchased the property in May for $60,000. It was last sold in 1987 for $13,000.

The area has seen increased construction activity following the city’s renovation of East Sprague Avenue, a historically poverty-stricken part of town that has seen continued private investment since the city started targeting public dollars there. The $12 million Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery on Sprague is under construction, and the area also recently saw the construction of an affordable housing complex by Community Frameworks and a Frontier Behavioral Health clinic.

The Zacapantzis are acting as the project’s general contractor.