City building permits

are at record YTD value

Total construction permits issued by the city of Spokane for the first 10 months of the year are up 16%, and the total value for permits issued is up 50% compared with the year-earlier period, according to permit data compiled by the city.

The city issued 5,072 construction permits this year through October, a 19.6% increase over the previous four-year average for the first 10 months. The estimated construction value totals a record $704 million for the first 10 months of the year, compared with a total of $470 million in the year-earlier period. The previous 10-month record for total construction permit values issued was $659.3 million in 2022.

The largest projects permitted in October are the $8.7 million Spokane International Airport administration building shell, at 9000 W. Airport Drive, and the $6.2 million, 44-unit Garland Apartments, at 951 W. Walton.

October home sales

surge in Spokane area

Spokane Realtors reports that a total of 505 homes were sold through the Spokane Multiple Listing Service in October, up 12% compared with 450 homes sales in the year-earlier month. Through the first 10 months of the year, nearly 4,440 homes have sold through the MLS, up 1% from the year-earlier period.

The median price for homes sold in the Spokane area in October was $422,500, up 6.4% compared with the year-earlier month.

The MLS inventory at the end of October totaled 1,362 units, or a 2.7-month supply, up 20.9% compared with a year earlier.

Mix of 67 living units

ready in Airway Heights

A second phase of mixed-income housing construction is complete at Highland Village, in Airway Heights, bringing 67 living units online.

Phase II includes 51 apartment units and 16 single-family homes, constructed through a collaborative effort between the city of Airway Heights, Spokane County, nonprofit housing provider Community Frameworks, Habitat for Humanity-Spokane, and Liberty Lake-based development company Greenstone Homes.

“Highland Village provides a place to call home at a time when there is a great need for people to live affordably,” says Deb Elzinga, CEO of Spokane-based Community Frameworks.

Michelle Girardot, CEO of Habitat for Humanity-Spokane adds, “Accessing affordable homeownership is far out of reach for too many in our community. … Witnessing the completion of Phase II and the 16 buyers who will step into a stable future can only be done with a spirit of collaboration.”

WSU debuts master’s in

energy-conscious building

Washington State University is launching a new master’s degree program aimed at providing students with an understanding of environmentally friendly construction practices. The Energy Conscious Construction program, which is expected to start in the spring, will train students in the design of more efficient and less carbon polluting homes for the future.

The program recently earned a Zero Energy Design designation from the U.S. Department of Energy, which recognizes its commitment to sustainable design practices. WSU’s program was one of 14 educational institutions across the U.S. to receive the designation this year. 

The master’s program will offer a series of 10 courses and online learning modules that will enable students to earn a total of 30 credits following either a one-year or two-year path. The program is based in the School of Design and Construction and offered through WSU Global Campus, and is intended for working professionals as well as current students.

Comcast starts work

on Medical Lake project

Philadelphia-based telecommunications company Comcast Corp., in partnership with the city of Medical Lake, is beginning construction of the public rights of way to expand, high-speed internet in Medical Lake.

In a project valued at $4.6 million, Comcast will construct the infrastructure to connect 1,600 Medical Lake homes and businesses to a fiber network to bring internet, mobile, entertainment, and security services.

“High-speed internet is not just a convenience; it's a crucial tool for education, economic growth, and enhancing the quality of life in Medical Lake,” Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper says in a press release.

Signs will be posted indicating work areas. Temporary road closures or detours may be required, and parking may be restricted in construction zones. Access to properties will be maintained as much as possible during construction. Residents will be notified by MasTec Inc., the construction contractor, at least 10 days in advance of any temporary restrictions or road closures, according to the press release.

Washington, Idaho 

gain construction jobs

Washington and Idaho are among 40 states that increased construction employment in September, compared with the year-earlier month, according to an analysis of federal data by the Associated General Contractors of America.

The Evergreen and Gem states also were among 24 states that added jobs between August and September.

Washington had 234,600 construction jobs in September, a gain of 1,600 jobs over August, and a gain of 2,900 jobs from September 2023.

Idaho had a September construction employment total of 71,800, a month-to-month increase of 400 and a year-over-year increase of 2,700 jobs.

“Even more states would be seeing gains if there were enough qualified workers available to fill job openings,” Ken Simonson, the association’s CEO, says in a press release.