Rockwood at Whitworth completes financing for a massive redevelopment in North Spokane

 Rockwood Retirement Communities has successfully completed the second round and final bond financing for the complete re-development of their existing site in North Spokane. The company is already actively converting the property, formerly known as Rockwood Hawthorne, into Rockwood at Whitworth as part of a massive $120,425,000 project that both expands and updates the complex. 

It also marks a new partnership in-between Rockwood and Whitworth University where the two look to promote intergenerational opportunities for residents by giving them discounted courses and privilege's to the library, athletic and preforming arts events at the University. In exchange, Whitworth students will have employment, internship and other intergenerational opportunities with the residents.

The re-development project is being done in phases, where the second bond financing of $81,355,000 will be used to build the second phase consisting of independent apartment homes and common amenities. The project is being completed with a phased approach to allow residents to move into first building, which is scheduled for completion in March of 2021. 

Photos and renderings used are courtesy of Rockwood Retirement Communities.

The first phase, Plavella Glen will feature 48 assisted living apartments and 24 memory support suites. All current residents have chosen new apartments within Plavella Glen and Rockwood is planning a " white glove" move on moving day . They intend to have a hospitality suite set up where residents can relax while the professional movers pack and unpack.

The second phase of construction, which is expected to take about 20 months to complete, will feature 117 independent living apartments and a array of amenities and services, including: Multiple dining venues, Theater, Coffee shop/ smoothie bar, salon/spa, a multipurpose event space, outdoor courtyards, fitness center, underground parking for residents and a bar/lounge. 

"With our first phase of construction nearing completion, it is wonderful to see the future of retirement living becoming a reality. Our second phase, the independent living building is already over 83% pre-sold, which shows there is a great response from the community-at-large to our new vision for retirement living " said Alan Curryer, Rockwood Retirement Communities President and CEO.

Spokane based NAC Architecture and Walker Construction, Inc. are responsible for the project's design and construction, respectively.  For more information on Rockwood Retirement Communities, visit their web site at - http://rockwoodretirement.org

New Commercial Building on Aero Rd. fills up in just months, here's what will be opening there...

 New businesses are still wanting to open in Spokane, especially on the West Plains. In July, I ran a small write up mentioning the new strip mall style building that was constructed across from the Petro truck stop at 10509 W. Aero Rd. , not far west of the new Amazon Fulfillment Center ( seen below )

                                  Photo courtesy of Vandervert Developments

Now flash forward just one season and all four bays of the 8000 square foot building have now been leased and construction is now underway for the tenant improvements. These are the businesses that will soon call this new building home-

West Plains Dental

Ombre Nails

Dominos Pizza

Comalito Taquileria

These businesses should be opening after the first of the year. Comalito is one of the more interesting ones as it will actually be a second location of El Comalon Mexican Restaurant, which can be found in the Crosspointe Shopping Center, next to Wal Mart in Airway Heights. 

More development will surely follow in the coming months in this area, so keep watching this site for the most up to date construction and business news in the Spokane area.

New flex building planned near Hwy 41 in Post Falls

                                                       Courtesy photo, looking southwest.

                           INBW staff photo of the build site, looking west.

Construction could begin within the next few weeks for a new 6000 square foot commercial building at the corner of Covington & Regal, near the Hwy 41 / I-90 interchange in Post Falls.  The modern looking building is being built on speculation and could house businesses from a number of uses.

Plans call for 3 bays of space that would be leased out and there are no tenants signed on as of right now. A larger 3000 square foot space would be on the end of the new building, directly at the corner and could even house a restaurant, coffee shop, brewery or similar. The others would be a 2000 and a 1000 square foot space, in addition to on site surface parking.

This project could fill up fast being in a growing area of Post Falls. For more into on the building contact Mike Gorham at 415-602-6669 or mrmgorham@aol.com

Jumping Jackalope Axe Throwing now open in Downtown Spokane

 A new axe throwing business is now open in Downtown Spokane. That new business is Jumping Jackalope Axe Throwing and we we’re able to check them out this weekend and I can highly recommend it for a fun experience. From date nights to team building to just about any occasion, it’s an awesome experience you won’t soon forget.

Jumping Jackalope is in a recently remodeled space, next door to Garageland at 226 W Riverside. Multiple lanes are available for those wanting to learn about the sport that is gaining popularity in our area. They actually help teach to throw and also have knifes for those wanting to try something new.

Snacks and drinks will be added in the coming weeks as will leagues. Walk ins are welcome, but appointments are also available on their website https://jumpingjackalopeaxeco.com/

Permits under review for what is possibly another Amazon Fulfillment Center.

While it’s too early to confirm, our research is showing that there are permit filings for a new building in Spokane Valley that seems to be another Amazon Fulfillment Center.

On the 7th of this month a Portland based architecture firm, called McKenzie filed with documents with the City of Spokane Valley . As proposed in the plans this new building would be huge if built meaning a lot of new jobs.

The plans show a 1,331,766 square foot new construction building to be built soon at the site. It would be located not far from the Spokane Business &

Industrial Park at an address of 17205 E Garland Ave ( newly built roadway near Katerra and Barker Rd. ) .

 So, why does look like Amazon?

Because the building project is listed as “project fireball” and GEG2. This would be a very similar to Amazon’s other Spokane distribution center that is nicknamed GEG1. And, they also are known to use the “project xxx” names before official announcements are made.

We will continue to watch this building project. In addition to a possible Amazon “ delivery center “ on N. Division. So, stay tuned for more...

New restaurant, Little Noodle, to open this month in the Garland District

 Things are changing in one of my favorite Spokane neighborhoods, the Garland District. A new sushi restaurant opened recently near the Garland Theater, an up and coming real estate company is taking over a prime business district location and now a new restaurant is planning to open on the district's eastern side.

Photos are dish examples and are courtesy of Little Noodle, thank you!

Little Noodle is coming soon to the space at 713 W. Garland that is also a seasonal BBQ restaurant called Honey Pig BBQ. A rep. of the new restaurant tells us they have signed a six month lease for the space and will either also operate seasonally or hunt out a more permanent home if they are successful. 

Little Noodle will be both local and chef owned and operated. The menu will be Asian inspired, specializing in Pho, Ramen and Dumplings. They say they'll use prime meats and proteins that will be smoked, " taking the dishes to a whole new flavor pallet ". Additionally they hope to do dim sum and serve beer, wine and sake.

The new restaurant is planning to open on later this month on October 20th and they will offer both dine in and take away. For more information find their pages on social media or on their website at http://littlenoodlespokane.com

Construction underway for a new Maverik in Post Falls, more locations also coming to Spokane

 Maverik, the Utah based chain of gas stations and convenience stores is continuing their aggressive expansion into the Spokane and Coeur d' Alene area. The chain is still relatively new for our area and now has a little over a dozen locations here.

INBW staff photos

Construction also kicked off recently for their newest location in Post Falls. This location will be at the corner of Hwy. 41 and Mullan Ave and will be the second store in Post Falls as the company recently opened a location just off of I-90 on W. Pointe Pkwy nearby Cabela's. The new Maverik on Hwy 41 will feature a 4300 square foot convenience store selling common place c-store items in addition to Maverik's own Bonfire Grill brand of hot foods. Additionally 28 parking stalls and 12 fuel pumps will be on the front of the lot along 41. Site work is happening now at the construction site and even some foundation work has already begun.

The new location in Post Falls isn't the end of the new locations coming to our area. This is because Maverik has filed paperwork for one more location in Spokane and two more in Spokane Valley. These locations don't have construction timelines / opening dates but historically Maverik does usually follow through with their building plans in due time. Currently the company is eyeing these sites for locations-

6710 N. Division, Spokane, corner of N. Division and Lyons. The site was once proposed to be a Popeye's restaurant, the restaurant chain has since backed out of the plan to open there.

18525 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley. Originally proposed last year, the site is off of Barker Rd. just south of I-90.

2020 N. Pines Rd, Spokane Valley. Currently a the site is landscaping business just north of I-90.

For more info on Maverik, visit their website at- http://maverik.com