The Dirt: Plans move forward for transload facility on the West Plains

Plans are moving forward for a rail and truck transload facility designed to attract aerospace and manufacturing companies on the West Plains, according to a preliminary application filed with the city.

Tacoma-based KPFF Consulting Engineers filed a preliminary application on behalf of the Spokane International Airport to evaluate utility availability and permit coordination for the transload facility, which is between Craig Road and the airport.

The $14.3 million transload facility – where shipments are transferred from trucks to rail and vice versa – would create jobs, minimize traffic congestion and ease access for businesses to transport goods, according to the airport.

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the airport a $11.3 million BUILD grant in November to construct the transload facility.

The first phase of the project, which called for construction of a 1-mile short rail line connecting the existing Geiger spur line to the airport property, was completed last year.

The project’s second phase will extend 3 miles of rail south from the existing Geiger spur to a freight-loading and circulation station between Craig Road and the airport. It will open up more than 1,000 acres of land within opportunity, foreign trade and community empowerment zones.

Lolo Lofts coming to west end of downtown Spokane A new mixed-use project could be coming to the west end of downtown Spokane, according to a preliminary application filed with the city.

Spokane-based Trek Architecture filed the application on behalf of Lolo Lofts LLC and Trent Holdings LLC to renovate an existing two-story brick building at 1229 W. First Ave. into 12 upper-floor apartments with more than 7,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.

Lolo Lofts LLC, whose principal is Jordan Tampien of 4 Degrees Real Estate, and Mike Schneider of Trent Holdings LLC, purchased the property for $725,500 in 2019, according to the Spokane County Assessor’s Office.

Construction on the $1.2 million project is estimated to begin later this month, according to a site plan filed with the city.

Renovations underway in bank buildingThe Washington Trust Bank building is undergoing renovations to three floors to make way for new Class A office space, according to an application filed with the city.

Plans call for remodeling the ninth, 10th and 11th floors, spanning a total of more than 35,100 square feet, in the building at 717 W. Sprague Ave.

The $2 million redesign includes new mechanical and electrical systems, according to the application.

Spokane-based Wolfe Architectural Group is the project architect.