The Dirt: Two projects to add housing units near Gonzaga

While construction has begun on one side of the street, developers hope to obtain permits within days to start a second residential rental unit project targeting Gonzaga University students on East Sharp Avenue.

“It’s a busy place,” said Evan Verduin, principal of Trek Architecture. “Two of the four corners” will be under construction.

On the south side of Sharp, Walker Construction crews have already begun erecting a 92-bed residence hall for Gonzaga University.

The $12.7 million residential hall at 802 E. Sharp Ave., according to city records. was named Mantua Hall. It was designed by Wolfe Architectural Group of Spokane.

Verduin designed the smaller “Gonzaga Multi-Family” project on the north side of Sharp Avenue.

Both projects are located on the east side of the traffic circle that intersects East Sharp Avenue and North Cincinnati Street. Both projects are located about a block west of North Hamilton Street and Jack and Dan's Bar and Grill, at 1226 N. Hamilton St.

The smaller residential project, owned by Aaron Farr and Jason Paull, calls for 17 units in a four-story building that would cost about $2 million to build.

Verduin said no contractor has yet been identified to build the 14,500-square-foot structure.

“It’s a mix of one-, two- and four-bedroom units,” Verduin said.

Building permits could be issued as early as this week and work will begin in the fall.

“We hope to have the project ready for next July, ready for the 2025 academic year,” Verduin said.

Sharp Multifamily

While crews are working on East Sharp Avenue, a separate environmental review effort is underway on the other side of Division Avenue.

The “Madison and Sharp Multifamily Development” is subject to a so-called “SEPA” review. This is the State Environmental Policy Act Review acronym for a 40-unit multifamily project consisting of two 20-unit buildings.

The project address is 1009 W. Sharpe Ave. It is located on the corner of North Madison Street and just west of the Spokane Public Radio building.

The application was submitted to Spokane city planners in late May by InterroWorks LLC and Storhaug Engineering of Spokane.

The four-story buildings would also have outdoor amenities, open space and space for bicycle parking, according to city records.

Between 40 and 80 people are expected to reside in the two buildings. The units would be sold or rented at market rate, depending on the bids.

If the project meets the city's SEPA review and permitting process requirements, construction could begin this fall, according to the permit.

Whitworth Project

Whitworth University has obtained a permit from Spokane County planners to change the use of an existing building.

Plans call for renovating a 1,200-square-foot detached garage at 10225 N. Whitworth Dr. into a space that can be used for “worship, recreation, entertainment and” other uses.

In the most recent submission, no contractors were listed. The renovation work was designed by Pondera Architecture and the projected cost was $300,000.