The Dirt: Newtech Skills Center gets $9 million upgrade

Another phase of construction at Newtech Skills Center is scheduled to start next week to modernize the facility’s original structure.

Newtech, 4141 N. Regal, offers career and technical training for about 700 students from regional school districts. Construction will remodel about 29,000 square feet in Newtech’s single-floor building.

Spokane Public Schools, which operates the facility, recently awarded a $5.6 million construction contract to T.W. Clark Construction of Spokane Valley. The project’s total estimated cost is closer to $9 million, when including the construction, equipment and supplies.

This phase of work will upgrade areas for a culinary arts program and kitchen, and cosmetology, criminal justice and shop classes. The main building’s interior will get updates such as windows for all classrooms, lighting and infrastructure, said Greg Forsyth, SPS capital projects director. A main hallway also will be improved.

“We’re putting in a robotics lab,” Forsyth said. “We’re also dedicating classroom space for shop classes that include welding, auto body and veterinary that didn’t have dedicated classroom space before. When we did the expansion in phase one, that gave us some classes we could repurpose.”

Another part of the project will enclose a covered work area for industrial manufacturing that has about 2,400 square feet.

The second phase of construction is expected to take nine months, with completion scheduled for August.

Last fall, Graham Construction & Management of Spokane completed the first phase of work for about $13 million to build the expansion, adding 35,000 square feet.

Tax office moving

Liberty Tax will occupy just over 1,500 square feet in the Opportunity Shopping Center, 12029 E. Sprague Ave., in Spokane Valley.

The tax preparation office is leasing the space from Sydney E. Smith Co. & Landa Family Partnership.

Colin Conway of Kiemle & Hagood represented the tenant, and Andy Butler of WEB Properties represented the landlord.

Development firm leases Post Falls office

Anderson Bros. Development LLC has leased just over 800 square feet in Post Falls at 1810 E. Schneidmiller Ave. The business is occupying a retail space as part of a move this month.

Pat Eberlin of Kiemle & Hagood handled the transaction.