Construction Starting on New Office and Retail Space

People have been complaining for years about the empty lot at Third Avenue and Division. It's what greets people when they exit I90 for downtown, including many tourists and business travelers.

Well, it's about to get a makeover, according to the Spokesman-Review. The lot, sitting empty since a church was demolished in 2008, had a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for a two-story office and retail space called the Peppertree Plaza. The 16,000-square-foot building will have space for four or five restaurants and retail shops on the ground floor, according to the property owner, and half of the top floor will house business offices for the couple’s four motels, a chain of Best Western Peppertree Inns. The other half will be offered to tenants.

Einstein Bros. Bagels restaurant has already said they plan to open a a restaurant at the location and another business is reportedly preparing to sign a lease although it hasn't been released who it is.

Most of the building is expected to be completed by the end of the year.