Spokane/ CDA development discussions

[Hub for an Empire]

I was downtown today. Looks like the Penthouse level on the Davenport Tower varies from the original rendering that was published in the Journal of Business? In that rendering, the penthouse level was only a partial floor with more glass and a balcony around it. What I saw today, was on the 19th floor, openings for windows on the west side. Not sure if this was a budget cutting action? I take it now, the top level will be just like the other floors? I was hoping something different for the top floor, to make something unique for at least the top floor? I know some people expressed they thought there should be some windows on the east and west sides, but to me, it looks funny to have no windows on the 1st to 18th floors of the west side, and then to have these funny window openings on the 19th floor, IMO.

Any opinions on this from anyone?

[chepe]

You're right about the change from the rendering. The rendering clearly showed a glassed in type of top floor with what looked to be a significant amount of balcony space. As it is now, the top floor looks like it is going to be similar to the floors below but with more windows. Also, the top floor pre-fab panels do not have the windows already inserted as do the floors below.

Another thing I'm curious about is the layout of the rooms. I watched as they built most of this tower but unless they reshape the interior significantly all the rooms (except the top floor) look like they are the same size. I was wondering how this will work for the suites, etc. The current layout looks like six rooms on the north and six rooms on the south facing sides of the building with a hallway running east-west. The interior walls all looked to be placed in the same location for each floor. Unless the suites are at either end of the east west hallway (so the hallway doesn't have to cut the room in half) I don't see how there will be a square footage difference in any of the rooms.

[RemiO]

The Rookery is going down, but the lot will be up for sale. Fingers crossed something good will happen there. From http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools...pf.asp?ID=7445

Demolition of Rookery to begin in the next two weeks

From staff reports
September 21, 2006

Demolition of the 72-year-old Rookery Building in downtown Spokane will begin within the next two weeks after crews finish removing asbestos, the property manager for owner Wendell Reugh said Thursday.

When the Rookery demolition begins, Steve Gill said, crews simultaneously will start removing asbestos from the 91-year-old Mohawk Building next door. The Mohawk also will be torn down after asbestos work is complete. Both buildings are on the block bounded by Riverside, Sprague, Howard and Stevens.

Gill said Reugh told the city of Spokane he’d offer the one-acre site for sale when demolition is complete. Local and out-of-town buyers have expressed interest, he said.

Historic preservationists worked for years trying to save both historic buildings from the wrecking ball, but numerous deals fell through. Potential buyers complained that Reugh placed too high a price on the property, but Reugh responded that the deals required him to carry too much of the financial burden.

The city of Spokane intervened last fall, going as far as offering to serve as an intermediary in a buy-and-sell agreement, but announced in June that it had exhausted efforts to save the buildings.

[urbanlife]

what's the asking price? Plan on it being up for sale for a very long time.

[RemiO]

I have this feeling he'll actually up the price. Everything works a bit differently in Reughland.

[SPOKANITE]

Next stop: City Council.

Article here: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools...pf.asp?ID=7455

Hearing examiner OKs Kendall Yards

Alison Boggs
Staff writer
September 21, 2006

A residential and commercial project proposed for 80 acres just north of downtown Spokane took a huge step forward Thursday when the city of Spokane’s hearing examiner approved it.

Over the next 20 years, Kendall Yards will bring 2,600 residences and 1 million square feet of commercial space to the land poised above the north bank of the Spokane River. The project is proposed as an urban village, where everyone from college students to retirees will live in housing ranging from apartment buildings to town homes to upscale condominiums. Housing will be accompanied by shops, restaurants, and landmark plazas that will draw in the public and connect to the Centennial Trail.

“This is a great accomplishment for the community and I think it’s going to be a showcase development and provide innumerable benefits to the city,” said Tom Reese, project manager for Kendall Yards. “We’re very very pleased with what the hearing examiner came back with. It’s pretty much a straight across approval … as we had submitted it.”

Hearing Examiner Greg Smith somehow managed to walk an extremely fine line as both the development team and the project’s two most vocal critics applauded the decision. Though Smith denied an appeal of the environmental approval for the project, the appellants, John and Rachael Paschal Osborn, said they were happy with the decision.

“All of the concerns we raised were addressed in the conditions of the permit,” Paschal Osborn said. “We feel that the hearing examiner understood the issues that were being raised and put appropriate conditions on the project to address those concerns.”

Despite expressing approval, the Osborns said they are still mulling appealing the decision to the City Council, which must be done within 14 calendar days — by Oct. 5 at 4:30 p.m.

[Hub for an Empire]

It will be nice to see Kendall Yards developing. Sad to hear about the Rookery Block...seems a loss, but that part of downtown needs some changes and soon.

[Dazzeetrader]

Glad that rat infested Rookery Building is destroyed. I went by the new Tower today. Although many people are excited about it, it's still an eyesore IMO. Has Walt ever built a nice building? As Prium will testify, Rockpoint is falling apart. The Davenport was a rehab but he didn't build it. Nice rehab though. American West plaza is gorgeous but those type of buildings cost a lot. I hear some fabulous new buildings are on the way though. This City is gorgeous and deserves some classic architecture for it's skyline. Dazzee

[CrimsonW]

Originally Posted by Dazzeetrader

...Has Walt ever built a nice building? As Prium will testify, Rockpoint is falling apart...

I don't understand the Anti-Worthy sentiment among some folks. Seems to me the Worthys have done a lot of good for the community through their projects.

And I highly doubt that Prium would give the Worthys another $27m (for the Wells Fargo building and vacant lot to the South) if the previous $80+m they paid the Worthys for Rock Pointe turned out to be money spend on buildings that are "falling apart."

[urbanlife]

Dont expect any thing built on the Rookery block any time soon, unless the price tag for it drops to about 1.2 mil.....seeing that is all the land without the buildings is worth.

[urbanlife]

So has the Rookery building actually been torn down now?

and if so, someone should go take pictures, curious what it looks like now.

[SPOKANITE]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

So has the Rookery building actually been torn down now?

Nah, it's still standing. As RemiO said it looks as if they're finishing up the asbestos abatement on it. Once done, and down, they'll move on to the Mohawk.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by SPOKANITE

Nah, it's still standing. As RemiO said it looks as if they're finishing up the asbestos abatement on it. Once done, and down, they'll move on to the Mohawk.

So has anyone done any work to see how much the property will be for sale for once the buildings are gone? Without the buildings, it will have to go for a lower cost, which seems idiotic on Ruegh's part not to of sold the buildings when he had the chance.

[Trebor of Spokane]

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/busin....asp?ID=151448

[sustainable]

Hey guys, if you aren't subscribers to Spokesman-Review than click on this link to view the worthy story: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/tools....asp?ID=151448

[hcnate]

http://www.omsarch.com/portfolio_det...hp?cid=8&id=96

Trolling around the internet and discovered the aforementioned link. Color pictures of the Howard / Wall St. Condo project.

[urbanlife]

not too shabby, would be good for the density and activness to that area.

[Dazzeetrader]

Citizen.....beauty is in the eye of beholder I guess. But just exactly what "good" has been provided? You must mean the funded restoration of the Davenport.
And if you think the Rockpoint isn't falling apart, ask the people who lease from the 5th to the 7th floor. I'm sure they enjoyed the AC provided this past Summer. A cozy 85 degress all Summer.
Do you think any Worthy building is pleasing to the eye? My point was that they're ALL boxes. Big or small, well intended or not, they're all boxes. Do they add to the architectural of the fair city of Spokane? Well, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. The Worthys have worked hard. Nobody doubts it as far as I know. My thought is that the architecture for a growing modern city should be better. That's all....Dazzee

[urbanlife]

Worthy has done good things for Spokane, but it is true, when it comes to architecture, minus the Davenport has really been a hit or miss for them. I don't mind Rock Pointe, but the construction and the upkeep of it is very questionable.

The new tower and the parking garage and the expansion to the Davenport really points out best how little he understands the power that architecture can have if done right.

[Hub for an Empire]

I was surprised to hear that Worthy is selling the Wells Fargo Center! Good to see Prium taking a big interest in Spokane!

The color rendering looks nice on the Wall Street Condos. Seems to mix the Old brick from Old Spokane with the cream colors of Modern Spokane. I do like how the first computer generated rendering has the building stepped.

Worthy seems to use a lot of mirrored glass in the buildings he built over the years. Too bad, he doesn't use mirror glass on the top floor of the Davenport Tower....it might improve, especially the South elevation! IMO. I think he needs some type of cap or indication of a top floor. The edging of the top and utility roof looks to straight and seems unfinished. I can deal with the building in general, but I think from the freeway side it needs some help. I was looking at the building from Cliff Drive on Sunday. Looks like he has space to add a logo or something to the top (on the south side)?