Tod Stephens, The Spokesman-Review Journalist Profile

Articles

The Dirt: Spokane officials seek to update multiple facilities

5 days ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

Officials from the city of Spokane have submitted two separate permit applications to update three buildings. According to plans, the city intends to remodel the Water Department’s administration building and offices located at the Spokane Upriver Dam. Both permit sets were submitted by David Steele, a project coordinator and real estate manager with Spokane’s Facilities Department. “There’s no real connection to the two projects.
The Dirt: Developers planning apartment building near County Courthouse

1 week ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

Dozens of units of housing are planned to be constructed on a vacant lot just north of Kendall Yards. Still in early design phases, developers are exploring the feasibility of either a four-story building with 38 units or a five-story building with 53 units, according to plans submitted to the city of Spokane. At 1505 W.
The Dirt: Developers planning apartment building near County Courthouse

2 weeks ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

Dozens of units of housing are planned to be constructed on a vacant lot just north of Kendall Yards. Still in early design phases, developers are exploring the feasibility of either a four-story building with 38 units or a five-story building with 53 units, according to plans submitted to the city of Spokane. At 1505 W.
The Dirt: Church in Spokane planning $5.7 million upgrade

3 weeks ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

True Hope Church has submitted permits to the city of Spokane for a 19,000-square-foot expansion to its north Spokane location, almost doubling its size. The church is located at 1316 N. Lincoln St. The addition is planned to span two properties that consist of paved parking and a residential home. True Hope purchased the two lots in 2017 for $2.57 million, according to Spokane County property records.
Big plans for former Glen Dow building in downtown Spokane

1 month ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

A speakeasy, restaurant, bowling lanes and apartments are planned for the closed beauty school in downtown Spokane, according to plans submitted to the city of Spokane. The Glen Dow Academy had been a staple institution in Spokane for over half a century before closing in March of last year. Prior to closing, the school, at 311 W. Riverside Ave., was operated by Jennifer Von Doehren, the daughter of founder Glen Dow. She took over for her brother Martin Dow, who died in 2016.
Spokane psychedelic church gets first approval of its kind from DEA to possess ayahuasca

1 month ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

A Spokane congregation has won a first-of-its-kind federal approval to possess and partake of the powerful hallucinogenic drug ayahuasca that is central to its religious practice. “It’s a huge relief, because we have so many things that have been waiting for our approval to happen,” said Connor Mize, who leads the Church of Gaia in Spokane.
The Dirt: Catholic Charities plan to rehab apartment 158 units

1 month ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

A $20 million effort to rehabilitate 158 affordable housing units near Upriver Drive between Avista Corp.’s headquarters and Greene Street has been proposed by Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington. Jonathan Mallahan, chief housing officer for the nonprofit, said 122 of the units are located in one Spokane apartment complex previously called the El Estero Apartments. “This type of project is super important because we’re keeping the existing affordable housing already here,” Mallahan said.
The Dirt: Jefferson and Norman buildings to be vacant no longer

1 month ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

Plans have been submitted to the City of Spokane to refurbish the Jefferson and Norman buildings, which have sat vacant for years, according to city records. Some 40 units of housing and four commercial spaces are planned to revive the former hotel as part of a $5.5 million project. At the southeast corner of 1st Avenue and Jefferson Street, the two buildings are across the street from the Parsons Apartment building and a block east of Brick West Brewing.
The Dirt: Developers planning $42 million nursing home

2 months ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

The owners of Riverview Retirement Community, located just east of the Avista Corp. headquarters in the Logan neighborhood, are planning to demolish and replace a nursing home on the property, according to plans submitted to the city of Spokane. At 1841 Upriver Dr., the nursing home encompasses just a portion of the Riverview property that spans roughly 23 acres along the Spokane River. The single-story 50,000 square foot building was built in 1966, according to Spokane County property records.
The Dirt: More than 500 housing units planned along U.S. 195

2 months ago | spokesman.com | Tod Stephens

Roughly 100 acres of mostly vacant land in the Latah Valley neighborhood could be the site of a new housing subdivision, according to plans submitted to the city of Spokane. Located adjacent to U.S. Highway 195, the site stretches from Spokane Fire Station 5 on West Eagle Ridge Boulevard to an area just west of where South Hatch Road intersects with the highway.