Tod Stephens

6 days 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.

2 weeks 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.

2 weeks 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.

2 weeks 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.

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.