Mike McLean

Big North Idaho projects hold spotlight amid slowdown

List includes envisioned Wal-Mart megastores in Post Falls and Hayden

March 12, 2009

Some observers of the struggling construction industry are seeing glimmers of hope in an unsettled economy as highly anticipated projects, such as two new retail megastores in Kootenai County are nearly ready to get rolling.Also work on a big in

Major projects temper lower expectations

Ongoing, planned jobs here approach $1 billion in total construction value

March 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Although the pipeline for new construction projects appears to be slowing, major projects valued at more than $660 million, most of which started last year or the year before that, are under way in Spokane County, and big projects worth more than a

Post Falls wealth manager stresses contact with clients

Financial Strategies firm packages investments, insurance in portfolios

March 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Tim Van Lohuizen and Joe Angelo, the principals at Financial Strategies, a small Post Falls financial-planning and risk-management firm, left larger companies so they could be closer to clients.Van Lohuizen says he worked at an investment in

Real Estate Roundup

March 12, 2009

Mike McLean

MetaXpert LLC, of Spokane Valley, the parent company of Tometa Sofware Inc., which develops custom software, has leased 2,500 square feet of office space at 2310 N. Molter and has moved there from smaller quarters at 6614 E. Main. Marc Mowrer, of &

J.C. Penney proposes $750,000 remodel at its NorthTown store

March 12, 2009

Mike McLean

J.C. Penney Co., the big Plano Texas-based retailer, has applied for a building permit for a $750,000 remodel of its NorthTown Mall department store.The company's corporate office referred a reporter to the store's managers, who said they ready

Rite Aid in Spokane Valley plans to move across Sprague

Developer seeks permit for $2.3 million structure with increased visibility

March 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Rite Aid Corp., the Camp Hill, Pa.-based pharmacy and retail store chain, plans to move a store it operates at the northwest corner of Pines Road and Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley to a $2.3 million building that a developer here says he will for

Family-style pizza restaurant rebuilds, plans May opening

$800,000 Savage Land project to replace Valley eatery destroyed in fire

March 12, 2009

Mike McLean

The owners of Savage Land Pizza plan to reopen the longtime Spokane Valley family restaurant in mid-May, about a year after it was destroyed by a suspected arson-caused blaze.Pamela Veach-LaRochelle, who owns the business with her husband, Ian a

Group to announce vision for big Cd'A sports complex

Feasibility study supports 6,000-seat indoor arena with adjacent ball field

March 12, 2009

Mike McLean

A sports-venue advocacy group plans to unveil soon the results of a $75,000 feasibility study that supports the idea of developing a 6,000-seat sports and entertainment complex envisioned for Coeur d'Alene.Dave Tomson, development manager for of

Toyota dealer plans $4 million expansion

Garco picked to remodel new-car showroom, erect two-story addition, skywalk

March 12, 2009

Mike McLean

Downtown Toyota/Scion has applied for building permits for a $4 million construction project that would make up the second and third phases of improvements planned at the dealership at 1208 W. Third Avenue.The project would include construction

Furniture store planned at Riverstone in Cd'A

Owner Angela Quinn owns similar store called Quinn Essentials, in Post Falls

February 26, 2009

Mike McLean

Angela Quinn, of Post Falls, plans to open her second furniture store in early March in Coeur d'Alene.The store, Essential Home Furnishings LLC, will occupy 5,400 square feet of floor space at 2480 Old Mill Loop in the Village at Riverstone and