Mike McLean

Housing program issues funding recommendations

Allocations through county would total $3.3 million

June 5, 2014

Spokane County's affordable-housing program has recommended allocating $3.3 million to be divided among four low-income housing projects using funds available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. All of the projects named in th

Scaled-back project returns to Cd'A's Midtown area

Mixed-use building would include 38 residential units

June 5, 2014

Mike McLean

A long-envisioned retail and residential project proposed north of downtown Coeur d'Alene is back in the forefront after a few years of delays, though at a smaller scale than originally proposed, the Lake City Development Corp. says. The three-story pr

Increasingly independent real estate agencies

Nonaligned real estate brokerages see growth, say reduced fees attract agents

June 5, 2014

Mike McLean

Some independent real estate brokers here say their agencies are growing rapidly despite not having the brand recognition of regional and national franchise operations. Dan Lysek, co-owner and designated broker at Spokane Valley-based Live Real Estate LL

Silvey Construction to construct office building along Nevada Street on North Side

$3 million project to be completed within a year

June 5, 2014

Mike McLean

Spokane Valley contractor Silvey Construction Inc. has obtained a building permit to construct a $3 million office building on Spokane's North Side. The proposed project site is a vacant parcel of land at 9911 N. Nevada, just north of a Horizon Credit

Air ambulance launches service in Coeur d'Alene

Life Flight to employ 14 people at Boyington Field

June 5, 2014

Mike McLean

Aurora, Ore.-based Life Flight Network plans to base a helicopter ambulance service in Coeur d'Alene beginning later this month. Life Flight, which claims to be the largest nonprofit medical flight program in the U.S., provides critical care transporta

Staples store moves are central to three projects

Party City, Destination XL will enter Spokane market

June 5, 2014

Mike McLean

Staples Inc., the Framingham, Mass.-based office supply retail chain, is making two of its Spokane-area outlets smaller, says a commercial real estate agent with some knowledge of the projects. Meantime, Party City Corp., a Rockaway N.J.-based party supp

Growth strategy amply energizes Schweitzer Engineering

Sales projected to exceed $1 billion within five years

June 5, 2014

Mike McLean

Pullman-based Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. is plugged into an aggressive growth strategy as it increases its lines of products and services and expands its markets, says Luis D'Acosta, SEL's chief operations officer. The 30-year-old comp

Memphis heavy equipment concern acquires Hite

Barnhart to pursue same market, add services

May 22, 2014

Mike McLean

Memphis-based Barnhart Crane & Rigging has bought longtime Spokane Valley-based Hite Crane & Rigging Inc., and has converted the company name to Barnhart, says Chris Teague, a Barnhart spokesman based at the company's headquarters. The new Barnhart bra

Tool sharpener in Valley to move to larger building

Pro Cut to add services with small-engine repair

May 22, 2014

Mike McLean

Alcamo Inc., which does business as Pro Cut Saw & Tool, a Spokane Valley tool-sharpening concern, has bought a 14,000-square-foot building at 18909 E. Appleway, where it plans to move from smaller quarters a half-mile west of there. John Alcamo, who owns

CPA firm merges with big Midwest practice

McDirmid, Mikkelsen slated to become part of Eide Bailly

May 22, 2014

Mike McLean

Longtime Spokane accounting practice McDirmid, Mikkelsen & Secrest PS says it will merge next month with big Midwest-based firm Eide Bailly LLC. McDirmid, Mikkelsen & Secrest, will take on the name of the larger firm. Andrew McDirmid, a partner here, s