The Dirt: Cooper George to become multifamily housing

A $7.5 million redevelopment project slated for after May will transform the Cooper George building near downtown Spokane from its historic senior living use into a multifamily residential structure.

By May 1, South Hill Senior Living as a senior care facility operator will close its doors at Cooper George. The staff is helping relocate about 30 residents remaining in assisted living to other facilities. The company notified the state earlier this year of its license surrender, a 90-day process.

Cooper George LLC, with Oregon-based partners, in January paid $5.5 million for the 65-year-old, 13-story building at 707 W. Fifth Ave. The partnership plans major upgrades to create about 144 multifamily apartments, restore historic features, increase energy efficiency and add a fitness room.

At the time of state notification, South Hill Senior Living had about 64 assisted-living residents, said Kevin Ricker, a business partner. He said owners made site improvements in recent years but saw the erosion of independent-living use on upper floors, and Medicaid reimbursement rates for the residents have remained flat for about 10 years.

Business operation and staff costs also have risen significantly in the past decade, said LeAne Austin, a registered nurse and the facility’s executive director. At state notification, 94 percent of its assisted-living residents received Medicaid benefits, she said.

The facility is working with the state Department of Social and Health Services to find rooms for residents near family when possible or where they can go in groups with friends from Cooper George, Austin added.

“We’ve found homes for half of the residents with the assistance of DSHS,” she said. “Care facilities have opened their doors and have also offered jobs to our staff. We had 23 staff at time of the announcement. Some have accepted other positions.”

For the future, Austin said she’s concerned about baby boomers eventually needing facilities that can take a number of people relying on Medicaid. “Our facility was one of the few in the greater Spokane area that was open to taking a large number of Medicaid residents.”

Sportsman’s Warehouse leases Valley space

Sportsman’s Warehouse, a Utah-based retailer of outdoor sporting goods, has leased a 32,000-square-foot retail building at 15118 E. Indiana Ave. near Spokane Valley Mall.

The retail space, formerly a Sports Authority outlet that closed, is in the Market Point I center next to a HomeGoods store. Sportsman’s Warehouse outlets are primarily based in the Western U.S. and Alaska, and the company has a store in north Spokane at 6720 N. Division St.

For the Valley site, Carl Guenzel, of Kiemle & Hagood, represented landlord Hanson Industries, while Tony Omlin, of Rainier Commercial Real Estate, assisted the tenant.

Winery to open downtown tasting room

Reininger Winery of Walla Walla Valley has leased space for opening a tasting room in downtown Spokane by late spring to feature its limited-production Helix brand products.

Helix Tasting Room, at 824 W. Sprague Ave., will sell specialty Helix products beyond those found in stores and restaurants, said Kelly Tucker, a partner. The Helix brand features wines produced from Columbia Valley-sourced fruit, while Reininger-labeled products feature Walla Walla-based fruit.

This will be the winery’s first outlet in Spokane.

Outdoors consignment outlet to open

NW Outdoors Gear and Apparel Consignment will open April 1 at the former Wintersport building in Spokane, located at 3220 N. Division St.

Owner Mark Schneider said the store is accepting for consignment high-quality recreation equipment and clothing during March from 3-6 p.m. daily or by appointment, as the 3,400-square-foot site receives interior remodeling.

The shop will sell a variety of outdoor recreational apparel and equipment. Items will be stocked on a seasonal basis to include bikes, fishing rods, electronics, camping, water sports and skiing products. Consignment rates are based on quality and original price.

Chris Bell, of Black Commercial, represented the landlord Douglass Properties, and Guy Byrd, of SVN Cornerstone, assisted the tenant.

Dermatologist office opens

Dr. William Wray, a dermatologist, has leased 3,400 square feet of space in the Wandermere Professional Building.

The practice opened Feb. 1 at 309 E. Farwell Road in Spokane.

Joel Crosby and Chris Bornhoft, both of Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Commercial, assisted with the lease.

Ridgeline Decks expands

Ridgeline Decks, a construction company, will expand at a newly leased location in Spokane.

The business, which builds custom outdoor living structures and composite decks, will occupy 2,800 square feet of space at 3828 E. Olympic Ave.

Jim Orcutt, of Black Commercial, was the broker.

Data firm leases space

Feichtner Data Group has leased about 2,500 square feet of space in Spokane’s Northtown Office Building, 4407 N. Division St., for a new office location.

The Spokane company provides services for data automation and collection, including emphasis in the energy and utility bill management markets.

Lou Neeser and Tim Kestell, of Kiemle & Hagood, represented landlord Staffield Family LLC, and Nick Brumback, of Brumback Real Estate, assisted the tenant.

Send items to The Dirt at TrevaL@spokesman.com, or call (509) 459-5439.