as reported in the Journal of Business by Natasha Nell
A Portland-based development company could break ground on its planned $20 million Boxcar Apartments in the University District as early as October, says managing partner Tom Cody.
The company, Project PDX, which does business as Projectˆ, plans to file for building permits within the first two weeks of August, Cody adds. Once construction begins, the project should take 15 months to complete.
The project site is at 15 N. Grant, just southwest of the University District Gateway Bridge south landing.
Plans show the project will involve construction of a seven-story apartment building with ground-level amenities and a two-story covered parking structure. The 77,500-square-foot structure is expected to have at least 136 living units, which will consist of a mix of studio, one bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.
Once the project is completed, it will be the first market-rate rental housing south of the railroad tracks in the University District, says Lars Gilberts, executive director of the University District Public Development Authority.
“It’s important … for our community, both to address housing needs but also to help the market to realize that yes this is a desirable place for people to live, work, and play,†contends Gilberts. “We need to help some of those first projects so there’s more in the future.â€
“We like the idea of helping to build Spokane up versus out,†Cody says. “In-fill developments in locations like that, that are connected to jobs and transportation linkages, are increasingly attractive to people.â€
Portland-based developer Project^ recently applied for a building permit to construct the Boxcar Apartments in Spokane’s University District. The seven-story, mixed-use complex will feature 136 housing units. (Courtesy TVA Architects)