Appraisal for key block discussed in private

The Spokane Public Facilities District discussed in private Tuesday an appraisal commissioned to determine the offer it will make on land south of the city’s current convention center complex.

The board closed the session to the public despite an objection by The Spokesman-Review. Board attorney Stanley Schwartz said if the appraisal information were made public it would compromise the PFD’s ability to negotiate with property owners Glen Cloninger and Diamond Parking. Schwartz said the board would not necessarily offer precisely the amount identified in the appraisal. Rather, he said, the appraisal would inform the board’s decision on an offer.

Cloninger and Diamond Parking are the majority owners of the block bounded by Spokane Falls Boulevard, Main Avenue, Washington and Bernard streets. The PFD has identified that block, which is just south of the INB Performing Arts Center, as the site of future parking and convention center expansion space.

Schwartz said if an offer is made and accepted, the board will move forward with acquiring the properties. If, however, the offer is not accepted, other alternatives will be considered, including asking the city to exercise condemnation authority. If that were to occur, Schwartz said, the law permits appraisal information to be kept secret until 30 days prior to trial.

Any offer that is accepted, however, would come back before the board for final approval in an open public meeting, Schwartz said.

“We will not be releasing appraisal information to the parties whom we are acquiring property from at this point,” Schwartz said. “Fair market value is a matter of opinion and we have an opinion.”

The appraisal was conducted by Peter Shorett of the Seattle firm GVA Kidder Mathews.