SIERR building in University District to undergo remodel for EWU nursing program

Monday, October 17, 2022

(as reported in the Spokesman-Review by Amy Edelen)

The historic SIERR building in the University District will be undergoing renovations to make way for Eastern Washington University’s nursing, and communication science and disorders programs.

Seattle-based Emerald Initiative filed a building permit application on behalf of the university to convert existing open office areas into classrooms and add study and lounge areas on the first floor of the 60,000-square-foot structure at 850 E. Spokane Falls Blvd.

More than 15,900 square feet of the building’s second floor also will undergo renovations for classrooms, a site plan for the project shows.

Some existing private offices will remain in the building, according to the application.

When renovations are complete, EWU will occupy more than 23,580 square feet of the building.

Spokane-based Bouten Construction is the project contractor. CollinsWoerman, of Spokane, is the architect.

The permit valuation is $3.3 million, according to the application.

Beginning in January, admission applications will open for EWU’s nursing program, with the inaugural class of 40 to start in the fall. A second class of 40 students will be admitted in spring 2024, according to the university.

EWU indicates the nursing program’s location within the University District will help strengthen partnerships with other health education centers in the area.

The SIERR building – otherwise known as the Spokane Inland Empire Railroad building – is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Seattle-based McKinstry and Emerald Initiative redeveloped the former rail repair facility into a modern, LEED-certified multitenant building in 2011, said Patrick Farley, principal of Emerald Initiative.

The SIERR building is anchored by University of Washington’s School of Medicine and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s Spokane office, in addition to Eastern Washington University’s Nursing and Communications Disorders programs.

EWU’s renovations are slated to be complete in the summer , Farley said.