Despite recent layoffs and a downturn in its sales, Coldwater Creek Inc. is proceeding with an expansion project that includes a $9 million, four-floor office building and a $2 million addition to its call center in northwest Coeur dAlene.


The contractor, Lydig Construction Inc., of Spokane, has begun work on both portions of the project. Brian Singer, a project manager with Lydig, says the two upper stories of the 100,000-square-foot office building, which will be located at 745 W. Hanley, will be office space. The two lower floors, one below ground and one at ground level, will be used for parking.


Coldwater Creek, the Sandpoint-based womens clothing retailer, says the new Coeur dAlene structure will house the companys growing information-technology operations. The building site is just southeast of the companys 60,000-square-foot Coeur dAlene call center, which is located at 751 W. Hanley Ave.


Lydig also is constructing a 14,000-square-foot addition onto the east side of that center, Singer says. He says the addition will include an employee fitness center, an expanded kitchen and dining area, and additional loading-dock and storage capacity. Construction is scheduled to be completed in early August, Singer says.


ALSC Architects PS, of Spokane, designed both portions of the project. The Spokane office of Bellevue, Wash.-based DCI Engineers Inc. is the engineering firm on the project.


Coldwater Creek laid off 65 employees at several of its facilities earlier this month due to lagging sales, but said the action was intended to position us for sustainable growth, and the company remains committed to continuing its operations in the Sandpoint and Coeur dAlene areas.


The company also said it expects to post a loss of 16 cents to 20 cents a share in the fourth quarter of 2007.


Contact Mike McLean at (509) 344-1266 or via e-mail at mikem@spokanejournal.com.