By Terren Roloff, WSU Spokane
SPOKANE, Wash. – JB LLC, a proposed limited liability corporation, has been selected as the developer that will have the opportunity to negotiate a ground lease of the Pine Street property on the Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane campus.
JB LLC is led by co-development partners Trace Real Estate Services of Seattle, represented by Wally Trace, and McKinstry Spokane LLC, represented by Dean Allen.
The property contains three parcels totaling approximately 4.1 acres including the Jensen-Byrd Building, a six-story warehouse at 131 E. Main, east of Pine Street between Main Avenue and East Spokane Falls Boulevard.
Situated on the southwest end of the campus, the land is designated in the campus master plan for potential mixed use development with the long-term goal of satisfying campus facility needs.
In their submission to WSU, Allen and Trace said they plan to maintain the primary façades of the significant structures.
“Flexibility, modern amenities, lighting, signage and architectural treatments will be carefully woven into this facility to maintain this historic structure while transforming it into a showcase facility,” the statement of qualifications said.
Principal professionals in design, construction, property management and leasing are based in Spokane.
WSU Spokane Chancellor Lisa Brown said a successful plan for the building has been long-awaited.
“I believe the partners have a great vision and have put together a team of highly qualified professionals, from design through property management,” she said. “Dean Allen’s leadership on the renovation of the Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad Building at McKinstry Station and Wally Trace’s project on Seattle’s South Lake Union known as Henry Pier are examples of their ability to create inspirational landmarks.”
The Jensen-Byrd warehouse was built in 1909 for Marshall-Wells Hardware Co., which was headquartered in Duluth, Minn. Jensen-Byrd bought Marshall-Wells’ Spokane operations, including the building, in 1958.
The building was purchased by the WSU Foundation in 2001, transferred to the university in 2004 and has been empty since Jensen Distribution Services moved the last of its operations to its facility on the West Plains.
Contact:
Terren Roloff, WSU Health Sciences Spokane communication director, 509-358-7527, terren.roloff@wsu.edu
