SFCC dedicates music facility
Spokane Falls Community College on Wednesday dedicated a $14.9 million Music Building that wraps new state-of-the-art studios and laboratories around a 40-year-old auditorium, and band and choir rooms.
The now 47,571-square-foot building qualified for silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification in part because of the novel construction process, as well as the recycling of 75 percent of the construction materials.
Among the building’s features are radiant-heated tile floors in the lobby and south entry, bamboo panels covering ceiling heating and ventilation equipment, and second-floor studios insulated with a springed, double floor that prevents sound from leaking down or up.
The piano lab contains a video system that gives students a better view of instructor keyboard demonstrations. Recording studios have industry-standard mixing equipment.
Dean of Visual and Performing Arts Dan Wenger noted new conduit will allow technicians in a basement laboratory to record symphony musicians playing in the auditorium using 32 microphones, “not just one dangling from the ceiling.”
The building, he added, made it possible for SFCC to create an associate of fine arts degree in music that allows students to transfer all 100 credits earned on campus to Western Washington and Central Washington universities, as well as Evergreen State College.
Integrus Architecture of Spokane was the project architect, BN Builders of Seattle the contractor.
Big Lots will open on North Side
Big Lots Stores, a Columbus, Ohio, retailer, will open its second Spokane store at 9612 N. Newport Highway, in NorthPointe Plaza.
The company offers items acquired from closeouts and overstocks from other companies. Its North Spokane store will sell toys, furniture, clothing, housewares and small electronics.
A company spokesperson said the opening is scheduled for June 10.
It’s taking over the space used by Linens ‘n’ Things, which closed in 2008. The store will employ from 40 to 50 workers.
Manufacturer joins business park
RANDL Industries Inc. moved into 6,000 square feet at the Spokane Business & Industrial Park this week.
President Robert Hagarty said the maker of boxes for electrical, security and telecommunications equipment needed more production space.
RANDL recently signed a licensing agreement with a global telecommunications company, he said, and the U.S. General Services Administration has specified company products in its design guide.
“We expect a rather substantial increase in production,” said Hagarty, who founded RANDL 27 years ago.
RANDL also does some manufacturing outside the United States.
The company is in the park’s Building No. 10. It previously occupied 4,400 square feet at 9618 E. Eight Ave. in Spokane Valley.
Thai restaurant relocates to larger space
The North Division Thai Bamboo will relocate to a bigger location at 5406 N. Division St., and hold a grand opening Tuesday.
It’s moving from 5204 N. Division. Thai Bamboo also has South Hill, Spokane Valley and Coeur d’Alene locations.
The new building is 9,000-square-feet and will include Vegas-style decorations and two patios.
Owner Tom Burgess said the dining area and adjacent Coconut Lounge can be opened up to create one large space. The building has a meeting room that can accommodate 45.
Liberty Lake preschool going up
Liberty Lake Children’s Academy will have a new, three-classroom building next fall.
Baker Construction and Development Inc. is building the 3,500-square-foot, craftsman-style preschool at 1322 North Stanford Lane in Liberty Lake. It’s the last of 10 buildings making up the Liberty lake Commons development.
The building is expected to be completed by early August and ready to occupy in the fall, said Brandon Spackman, vice president of construction services for Baker.
Liberty Lake Children’s Academy will move from leased space next door.
The new school’s value is listed as $431,690.