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Spokane's latest Comprehensive Plan punts on major land use issues, guts Complete Streets

Spokane’s latest Comprehensive Plan punts on major land use issues, guts Complete Streets

Last year, Seattle City Council voted to approve Seattle 2035, that city’s largest Comprehensive Plan update in decades. The document has been cited as a bold, visionary model for other regions. (PHOTO: City of Seattle via The Urbanist) Last year, Seattle adopted a bold, transformative Comprehensive Plan they called Seattle 2035. In addition to recommitting to a growth strategy that places most…

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North Monroe might just be Spokane's coolest urban neighborhood. It's about to get even cooler.

North Monroe might just be Spokane’s coolest urban neighborhood. It’s about to get even cooler.

This draft design shows what the redevelopment and targeted investment might look like at Monroe and Montgomery. Note the wider sidewalks, more pedestrian-friendly environment, lighted crosswalks, and abundant on-street parking. (PHOTO: Land Expressions/City of Spokane) North Monroe might just be the coolest neighborhood in Spokane. In addition to the abundance of hip shops, restaurants, and bars…

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Stellar adaptive reuse of the former Wonder Bread Building proposed

Stellar adaptive reuse of the former Wonder Bread Building proposed

This slideshow requires JavaScript. Here’s one I just could resist waiting until Monday to share. Wonder Spokane, LLC has proposed a stellar, game-changing adaptive reuse of the former Wonder Bread Building on the North Bank of the Spokane River. The 111,000 square foot former bakery sits at 821 W Mallon Ave, directly across from the Spokane Arena. At its peak, the plant produced 500,000 pounds…

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Otis Hotel micro-apartments in early-stage development

Otis Hotel micro-apartments in early-stage development

The former Otis Hotel building, along with the Commercial Building next door, is one of the final missing links in the redevelopment puzzle along the East End. A number of projects are proposed or underway in the growing downtown district. (PHOTO: historicspokane.org) The former Otis Hotel, located at 110 S Madison in Spokane’s West End, has been vacant since 2007, when the low-income residents…

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Proposition 1, explained

The Central City Line will make use of modern electric buses like the VanHool ExquiCity, which is already quite popular in Europe. Ours could be one of the first installations in the United States. INTRODUCTION If you live in the Spokane area, Proposition 1 is the most important measure on your ballot this year. By funding the STA Moving Forward plan, the measure will expand regional transit…

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Four items on our wishlist for the recently-purchased former Wonder Bread Building

Four items on our wishlist for the recently-purchased former Wonder Bread Building

The former Wonder Bread Factory is a gorgeous brick building primed for redevelopment located on the North Bank of the Spokane River. It recently changed ownership, and the new owners are interested in a new use for the building. (PHOTO: Multiple Listing Service) Fresh off the news of a new residential mixed-use complex on the East End of downtown Spokane, and the release of the first renderings…

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Major new mixed-use housing development proposed in the University District

Major new mixed-use housing development proposed in the University District

The developers behind the 940 North student housing building are back at it with the “University District Apartments” building, proposed for 230 N Division on the East End of downtown Spokane. The six-story building features significant architectural interest first-floor retail. (PHOTO: spokanepermits.com) Last year, we heard that a developer was interested in constructing a 26-story condo tower…

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It's time to put a moratorium on new skywalk construction

It’s time to put a moratorium on new skywalk construction

Spokane’s skywalk system was once the second-largest in the United States. It served its purpose for almost fifty years, but recently their presence has been more of a hindrance to the success of downtown than a benefit. (PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons) Spokane’s venerable skywalk system has served the city and the region for almost fifty years, allowing pedestrians the ability to cross between…

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Is the West End of Downtown Spokane the new East End?

Is the West End of Downtown Spokane the new East End?

The former Otis Hotel building, along with the Commercial Building next door, is one of the final missing links in the redevelopment puzzle along the East End. A number of projects are proposed or underway in the growing downtown district. (PHOTO: historicspokane.org) Yeah, it’s a somewhat counterintuitive question, given that during the revitalization wave that swept downtown Spokane during the…

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A closer look at three important ways to improve the Jensen-Byrd District plan

A closer look at three important ways to improve the Jensen-Byrd District plan

This is the site plan for the Jensen-Byrd District, as proposed by JB Development, a partnership between Wally Trace and McKinstry. A few changes would dramatically improve the development plan for the site, making it more inviting for the next fifty-plus years. (PHOTO: jensenbyrd.com) When the Jensen-Byrd District plan was revealed in full for the first time last week, we rightfully noted the…

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Idea #28: Bikeshare system

Idea #28: Bikeshare system

Washington, D.C.’s Capital Bikeshare has been successful in enabling last-mile connections and easy tourist connections. It has also exceeded expectations in placemaking, remaking many of its station areas into plazas and new public space. (PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons) Across the country, bikeshare systems are adding to the array of multimodal and diverse public transportation choices while allowing…

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If everything goes as planned, by 2018, the Jensen-Byrd Building in Spokane’s University District will grow into a mixed-use area of its own, featuring tech/biotech offices, retail, retaurants, and an athletic center over 250,000 square feet. (PHOTO: jensenbyrd.com)

  Earlier this year, WSU Spokane awarded a contract for remodel and reuse of the Jensen-Byrd Building to a partnership of Seattle developer Wally Trace and the local office of design-build energy efficiency firm McKinstry. We knew that the partners had significant plans for the site, but now we’re getting our first look at the project.

And it’s absolutely spectacular.

Not content to simply remodel the historic Jensen-Byrd warehouse, JB Development will develop a massive, 250,000 square foot adaptive reuse of the main building and the Pacific Produce Building and construct a new 442-space parking garage, a 50,000 square foot retail and fitness center, and an 84,000 square foot mixed-use tech/biotech office building. The result will be what they are calling the Jensen-Byrd District. Aimed at tech and biotech companies, the buildings will feature the large floor plates, modern data connections, and retail amenities that large companies expect, but which don’t exist at this point in our city.

In other words, if marketed correctly, these two buildings could help Spokane land a major tech or biotech tenant. It’s a dream that’s been building for a while, with significant investment in the University District (including the Pedestrian Bridge, expected to be complete in 2018) in pursuit of attracting private companies. With the right targeted action and marketing, now we have a specific site that could accommodate those demanding tenants.

Jump after the break for more discussion and renderings.

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 (PHOTOS: jensenbyrd.com)

Jensen-Byrd Building. At 114,000 square feet, this comprises the bulk of the project. Construction will start in earnest later this year on a full interior remodel and exterior refurbishment. At completion, the building will include 30,000 square feet of retail space, 70,000 square feet of Class A office space, and a 14,000 square foot roof-top conference center, which is a new concept for Spokane.

Pacific Produce Building. This modest building of 8,900 square feet will be remodeled to house a local restaurant or other retail space. This is a uniquely-shaped triangular building, which allows for some unique opportunities for creative reuse.

Fitness Center. Given the University District’s growing student population, JB Development will construct a 47,500 square foot fitness center, housing additional retail and connected to a public parking garage for 442 cars. The parking garage will help consolidate parking from other areas of the district, allowing for further infill on other sites.

Office Building. This new-construction, 84,000 square foot building will house primarily Class A office space for use by a tech/biotech company, medical firm, or other professional firm. It will feature similarly-large floor plates, all of the modern amenities, and a nice public plaza between it and the Jensen-Byrd Building.

Here’s the full site plan for the Jensen-Byrd Building. Note the connection to the Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge and the large scope and scale of the project. The Jensen-Byrd Building itself is just one small piece. (PHOTO: jensenbyrd.com)

In sum, we could not be more excited to see the Jensen-Byrd District come to fruition, and we hope to see more from Wally Trace and McKinstry in the future. The entire project should be complete by 2018, in time to sync nicely with the University District Pedestrian Bridge and other enhancements to the area. Stay tuned.

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SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS: What do you think of the new plan for the Jensen-Byrd Building and the Jensen-Byrd District? Are you excited for the 250,000 square foot development? What would you do to improve the plan or what would you like to see there? Share your thoughts on Facebook, on Twitter, or in the comments below. We love to hear from you.

BREAKING: Massive 250,000 square foot Jensen-Byrd District promises adaptive reuse, space for tech/biotech companies Earlier this year, WSU Spokane awarded a contract for remodel and reuse of the Jensen-Byrd Building to a partnership of Seattle developer Wally Trace and the local office of design-build energy efficiency firm McKinstry.

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Almost one quarter of downtown Spokane is occupied by surface parking

Almost one quarter of downtown Spokane is occupied by surface parking

There are 295 acres of surface parking in Spokane’s urban core. There are only 1,250 acres of land in the urban core. That means that 23.6% of all of the land in Spokane’s urban core is occupied solely by the temporary storage of motor vehicles. If we assume a ridiculously-conservative average density of…

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Idea #27: Return downtown's street grid to two-way traffic

Idea #27: Return downtown’s street grid to two-way traffic

Downtown Spokane’s Main Avenue on the East End is currently under discussion for major improvements, including center-lane parking, new street trees, and pedestrian enhancements, like a mid-block crossing. (PHOTO: City of Spokane)In late 2008, in the middle of the Great Recession, the struggling downtown area in Vancouver, Wash. decided to make a change. A cheap change, but a big change. In…

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1400 Tower promises to (finally!) add 52 units to West Riverside

1400 Tower promises to (finally!) add 52 units to West Riverside

  The seventeen-story, 52-unit 1400 Tower will rise on West Riverside between Browne’s Addition and Downtown Spokane. This conceptual rendering shows the view from Riverside. (PHOTO: Nystrom + Olson Architecture) Ten years after his initial proposal was scuttled by a tumbling real estate market and opposition from Peaceful Valley neighbors, Spokane developer Mick McDonnell has begun work again on…

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Spokane is a city of districts. Here's how to realize their potential.

Spokane is a city of districts. Here’s how to realize their potential.

The Garland District, in Spokane’s North Hill neighborhood, is one of its oldest urban districts, and one of its most beloved. But what could be done to highlight the many and varied urban districts which make up our city? (PHOTO: Garland District)Spokane is a city of districts. Garland. South Perry. Browne’s Addition. North Monroe. University District. North Bank. Hillyard. East Sprague. Lincoln…