The Dirt: Construction moving forward for Carl Maxey Center; Community Pint plans Valley location

Friends of the Black Lens is moving forward with the remodel of a former automotive shop into the Carl Maxey Center, a community gathering space in the East Central neighborhood, according to a permit filed last week with the city.

Friends of the Black Lens, a nonprofit organization, raised $375,000 to buy the century-old building at 3116 E. Fifth Ave. and an adjoining lot in 2018 to build a community space that, when complete, will be a cultural center focused on the city’s African American community while honoring the legacy of prominent local attorney and civil rights leader Carl Maxey.

The Carl Maxey Center also will focus on cultural enrichment, economic and workforce development, social and racial justice, and educational opportunities. It will be a gathering space for residents for office space, community events, classes, a work-training program, cultural exhibits and workshops.

The first phase of the remodel calls for creation of a meeting area with a stage to conduct community events and meetings. Once the permit is approved by the city, the nonprofit organization will work with subcontractors to determine a timeline for completion of the meeting area, said Sandy Williams, executive director of the Carl Maxey Center and editor and publisher of The Black Lens newspaper.

Subsequent phases of the center will be built out as fundraising continues for the project, she said.

Williams said she’s grateful for community support of the Carl Maxey Center and is looking forward to when it can open to the public.

The project contractor is Spokane-based Deacon Band Construction Inc. The project architect is Patsy O’Connor, who designed the Saranac Building and the Main Market Cooperative in downtown Spokane.

The remodel will incorporate green building technology and materials, according to the center’s website.

Community Pint plans new brewery in Spokane Valley

Community Pint is planning to remodel a space for a new brewery and tasting room in Spokane Valley, according to a permit recently filed with the city.

Owner TJ Wallin filed the permit to update electrical and plumbing, install a cooler and build out a bar and serving area in a 2,300-square-foot space at 11724 E. Montgomery Ave., Suite D7, east of YaYa Brewing Company, according to the permit.

The project valuation is $30,000, according to the permit.

Wallin and wife Sarah opened Community Pint, a craft beer bar, growler fill station and bottle shop, in 2017 at 120 E. Sprague Ave.

Wallin did not respond to a request for comment about the proposed Spokane Valley location.

New business park coming to Airway Heights Plans are underway for a new business park in Airway Heights, according to an environmental review filed with the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Hazelwood Square will be developed in three phases on the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 2 and Hazelwood Road. The first phase calls for a single-story, 10,500-square-foot building with a mix of medical office and retail tenants. Phase two includes a 12,000-square-foot building to also house a mix of medical and retail tenants. The third phase will include 48,000 square feet of storage, warehouse and manufacturing buildings on the south end of the 7-acre site, according to the environmental review.

The business park is slated to be complete in 2022. The first phase is anticipated to be finished later this year, according to the environmental review.

The Sadaqa Group LLC, of Spokane, purchased the site for more than $1 million in 2019, according to the Spokane County Assessor’s Office.