Topics
Kendall Yards
Summary
When developer Marshall Chesrown purchased 77 acres of real estate near downtown Spokane in 2004, a vision was born. Kendall Yards would be a mixed-use “urban village,” drawing residents to the heart of the city and boosting business. After several years of groundwork and financing setbacks, new developers have taken over the project.
Plans emerged in 2006 for a major development on the land, purchased during Metropolitan Mortgage & Securities Co.’s bankruptcy auction. The initial proposal for the site north of the Spokane River and west of Monroe Street showed high-end residential units; up to 1 million square feet of office and retail space; high-rise buildings; and Centennial Trail connections.
Developers completed a
costly environmental cleanup and drew up plans to handle a surge in traffic. Residents of West Central and other neighborhoods voiced concerns and support. And in September 2006, the city examiner approved Kendall Yards. The City Council would later OK special tax financing despite prominent objections.
As the economy began to falter in 2008, the project ground to a halt. Chesrown closed the downtown Kendall Yards offices, and the site was used for parking.
In late 2009, home builder Greenstone Corp. bought the property and promoted scaled-back plans that kept the mixed-use philosophy but reduced the number and cost of the housing units. Work on those units began in April 2010.
The development may deliver a full-service grocery store by Thanksgiving 2012. One to three office buildings and more housing also are planned next year. Greenstone is working with city officials to reduce long-term parking on streets in commercial portions of Kendall Yards and to extend the Centennial Trail through the project.
Updated Sept. 29, 2011.
Key people
-
Marshall Chesrown
Marshall Chesrown was the original developer of Kendall Yards. He grew up in Spokane, made his fortune selling a Denver automotive empire in 1997, and returned to the Inland Northwest to go into real estate.
More information
Latest updates in this topic
Family of 7 displaced by West Central house fire on Sunday morning
The Spokane Fire Department extinguished a house on fire in West Central on Sunday morning that displaced a family of seven.
Four people shot in West Central park; wounds not life-threatening
Three teens and a 40-year-old man were injured in a park shooting early Thursday morning in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood.
Annual fundraiser for children’s creative space will feature musicians, artists, tasty bites
Creativity. Knowledge. Imagination. Spark Central is helping achieve these lofty and artistic goals in Spokane through a variety of classes and programs offered free to children. The nonprofit is the …
Spark Central grew from creative ambitions to a Kendall Yards fixture
The spark was lit one night in 2013 when a roomful of artists, writers and teachers gathered to talk about a bold new idea: a free arts tutoring center here …
400-acre Kaiser property in Mead, near former smelter site, slated for 1,400-residence mixed-use development
The developer who transformed an old industrial site near downtown Spokane into the thriving mixed-use Kendall Yards development believes he can do the same thing on a 400-acre Kaiser Aluminum …
Wandering Table restaurant in Kendall Yards to close permanently
The business has been operating in Kendall Yards since May 2014, and will continue to offer to-go and delivery service through Jan. 9.
Second suspect arrested in connection to assault on Kendall Yards construction workers
Spokane Police have arrested a second man suspected of assaulting a construction worker in Kendall Yards last month.
Man accused of breaking into Kendall Yards residence while family was home
Spokane police arrested a man accused of burglarizing a residence while the family was home Saturday afternoon in Kendall Yards.
‘You will see a very dramatic change in West Central’: Tax district extension raises expectations of neighborhood improvement
The Spokane City Council recently extended the amount of time property tax values can accrue in the neighborhood to be put toward public infrastructure. Neighborhood boosters say it’s an opportunity …
Spokane police recover body from Spokane River near Kendall Yards
Spokane police recovered a body from the Spokane River just west of the Monroe Street Bridge near Kendall Yards Saturday morning.
The Dirt: Spokane Airport Board restoring Nick Mamer Memorial Clock, building new taxi lane
The Spokane Airport Board is moving forward with several improvements to Felts Field that include a building a new taxi lane and hangars as well as restoring the Nick Mamer …
The Scoop to replace Brain Freeze at Kendall Yards
The Scoop owner Jennifer Davis confirmed the popular ice cream shop would be opening its second location, where Brain Freeze Creamery currently resides, on March 1.
The Dirt: Rockwood at Whitworth breaks ground on $69 million senior-living redevelopment project
Rockwood at Whitworth has broken ground on a $69 million senior-living redevelopment project that will bring hundreds of apartments, amenities and services to north Spokane.
Greenstone to build mixed-use ‘flatiron’ building at Kendall Yards
Greenstone Homes is exploring if it can build a triangular “flatiron” building in downtown Spokane’s Kendall Yards, according to permit activity at the city.
Brain Freeze Creamery to reopen Kendall Yards location, close South Hill shop
Brain Freeze Creamery will reopen its Kendall Yards ice cream shop in coming weeks, but has said its South Hill location will remain closed permanently.
Brain Freeze Creamery’s ice cream shops in Kendall Yards, South Hill temporarily closed because of unpaid taxes
The Washington State Department of Revenue issued two tax warrants against Brain Freeze Creamery for more than $19,780 in unpaid taxes and penalties.
Despite slow start from cold spring, area farmers markets kick off season
In a weedy field near the downtown core, Tim Pellow set up his vegetable stand for the year’s first Spokane Farmers’ Market. “It’s going to be a slow start with …
Kendall Yards bus pass program reaches 200 users; riders log 64,000 miles
Nearly 64,000 miles have been ridden on Spokane Transit Authority buses by participants in a program that provides free bus passes to anyone who lives or works in the Kendall …
The Dirt: Exotic Metals submits plans for Airway Heights expansion
Exotic Metals Forming LLC has submitted development plans for future expansion on the West Plains.
Seeking more space, Core Pilates moving to new location in Kendall Yards
The exercise studio outgrew its space at 1230 W. Summit Ave. two years ago and will move into a location more than twice the size of its current location, according …
Man arrested, accused of brandishing knife, harassing people near Kendall Yards
Police arrested a 19-year-old man Tuesday for allegedly brandishing a knife and threatening to kill people in the Kendall Yards area.
Spokane City Council approves $300,000 road paving project with car tab fees
The work will be completed this fall to the Lower Crossing neighborhood, which has experienced washouts in recent years on the only road that leads to the small cluster of …
This Spokane parks patrol program looks a lot like the Old West
Up to three teams of mounted patrol volunteers visit parks across Spokane every Saturday and Sunday to spread the word about the COPS volunteers and the work they do.
My Fresh Basket wins industry award for innovation
My Fresh Basket, the Kendall Yards grocery store, has won a national industry award for innovation.
Courthouse restoration work draws to close
More than $1 million in historic restoration work is nearly complete at the Spokane County Courthouse, which will result in new lobby locations for the county’s auditor, treasurer and assessor …
Sushi restaurant planned for Kendall Yards
Work continues to make Kendall Yards in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood a destination for dining. The latest restaurant tenant will be Umi Sushi, in space it will share with the …
Metal sculpture marks spot where old meets new: The historic district Nettleton’s Addition and emerging Kendall Yards neighborhood
The fourth sculpture marking an entrance to Nettleton’s Addition and Kendall Yards has been installed.
Local running store heading to Kendall Yards
Fleet Feet, a Spokane-based athletic store, has been issued permits to begin tenant improvements at its new location in Kendall Yards.
The Dirt: CdA Super One undergoing $2.5M remodel
The remodel of the 67,000-square-foot building, 305 W. Kathleen Ave., will include renovation of the bakery, deli, pharmacy, and meat and fish area, and add a mezzanine with a dining …
Indaba Coffee plans Kendall Yards location; will include Hello Sugar doughnut shop
A new commercial building is going up in the central part of Kendall Yards, the trendy and booming development just northwest of downtown Spokane in the West Central neighborhood.
City officials, volunteers clear out remnants of homeless encampment below Kendall Yards
A homeless camp was cleaned out Wednesday – its residents long gone – with piles of trash and personal belongings hauled away.
Spokane Park Board approves new entry sign at Nettleton’s Addition and Kendall Yards
A new entry sign marking the line between Kendall Yards and Nettleton’s Addition is being planned