Greg Green, a Spokane telecommunications entrepreneur and former Nextlink Communications Inc. executive, has bought the Levy Block Building at 118 N. Stevens downtown through his company, Gregory Inc., and plans to renovate the structure for use as an office building.


Separately, Green is working with Spokane developer Jared Miller on a previously announced project to construct a 7,500- to 8,000-square-foot building at 523 E. Second for retail tenants.


Green bought the three-story Levy Block Building for $95,000 from Dr. John Huberty of the Pullman area. He says he bought the building, which has 8,000 square feet of leasable space, because it was offered at a price he couldnt pass up. He plans to spend another $300,000 to remodel the structure.


The building, which has been vacant for at least 15 years, was nearly sold five years ago to a Spokane development company, but that deal fell through. At the time, the building was listed for sale for $329,000.


The Levy Block Building, which was built in 1892, last housed a popular, upscale restaurant, called Strobels, in the 1970s.


Its pretty much gutted, Green says. Obviously, we have some work to do.


He says he plans to retain the buildings historical faade, but hopes to include a funky mix of old and new elements inside the building. The structures 16-foot-high ceilings and any ductwork and pipes that will be installed near the ceiling the renovation will be painted black, the interior of the outside walls will feature exposed brick, and modern light fixtures will hang down from the ceiling.


The building will be equipped with a high-tech security system, fiber-optic cables for communications, and a T-1 cable that provides Internet access at far faster speeds than a conventional phone line.


Work on the building renovation is expected to begin by the end of the month, he says. The main floor should be ready to be leased out about two months after that.


Green says he likely will move the offices of Gregory Inc. to the third floor of the building from the U.S. Bank Building nearby.


Jim Quigley, of Kiemle & Hagood Co., of Spokane, handled the sale of the Levy building. Steven A. Meek Architects, of Spokane, is designing the remodeling project, and Leone & Keeble Inc., of Spokane, will be the general contractor on the renovation.Second Avenue siteOn Second Avenue, Green and Miller are planning an approximately $500,000 building project through Miller Green Partnership LLC, which they own, Green says.


Miller announced about 18 months ago plans of his own to put a multitenant building on the site, which is just west of Sheridan Street, but didnt proceed with the project.


Green says construction on the building planned now, which is expected to house between two and four tenants, should begin in mid- to late-June and take about 90 days to complete. He says the building will be outfitted with fiber-optic cable and a T-1 cable for Internet access.


Steven A. Meek Architects also is the architect on the building on Second, Green says. A contractor hasnt been selected yet.


Green says he also recently bought a half-interest in the Nextlink building at 155 S. Stevens from Miller.


Green founded Tel-West Communications here in 1984 to sell and service business telephone systems. He later added a sister company, Tel-West Central Services, to provide local dial-tone service. He joined Nextlink in 1995 when Nextlink bought Tel-West Central Services. Green left Nextlink at the end of 1997 to pursue real estate development and possible acquisitions in the telecommunications industry.