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Frequently Asked Questions About the Move

Answered by General Manager Cary Boyce

What happened to the old campaign?
In 2007, SPR launched a $10 million campaign to move into a building on Pacific Ave. in Downtown Spokane. When I arrived in September 2012, significant changes in the economy led me and SPR’s board of directors to reexamine initial 2007 capital campaign plans and $10 million budget. In light of new realities, we re-scaled the project to acquire and remodel a new station home to an achievable $5 million in five years. This timeline was greatly accelerated by matching grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and especially by a State of Washington Capital Grant which mandates that the project MUST be complete by June 2015. (This means fundraising must be completed asap to be sure we don’t miss, and that we fully leverage these and other funds.)
Due diligence in early 2013 also revealed the property we control on W. Pacific had lost one-third of its value during the recession. The opportunity was clear—we fielded an offer to buy that property outright at a more realistic value. These efforts were unsuccessful, but the availability of Fire Station No. 3 at 1229 N. Monroe surfaced during this process. We saved more than $200,000 on the purchase price, and several million dollars in new construction. The NEH and the State agreed: this is good stewardship, and the funds would follow the new vision.

New options? The Fire Station?
Yes. During this time, the vintage Fire Station No. 3 became available. With the assistance of a no-interest loan (from a listener like you!), our offer was accepted in May of 2013.

Why bother?
We will double our physical space, and triple our production capacity. We need to grow our service, and we need a secure space to do it. It will also feature a beautiful performance/recording space for live broadcasts, recordings, forums, lectures, debates, films, and so on. We have several initiatives underway -- but we really need a new home to launch them. It will secure public radio service in our region and communities for generations to come.

It's a Fire Station. Does it have Fire Poles?
Yes! The south pole is now named the Wyncote Foundation Fire Pole and the north pole is named the Dodson's Jewelers North Pole.  The Performance Studio houses the Norman & Theresa James pole.

When will you move in? What's your timeline?
May 2014:  SPR takes possession of the building.
June 2014: Groundbreaking Ceremony, Renovations begin in earnest.
January 2015: KPBX turns 35 years old, many substantial changes are completed.
August 2015: Walker Construction finishes major construction.
September 2015: SPR begins installing broadcast and office equipment.
October 2015:  Membership Drive takes place in Fire Station No. 3.
January 2016: SPR celebrates 36 Years of operation and the start of the next era of public broadcasting service to the Inland Northwest! And thank you!

What can I do?
THANK YOU to the hundreds of SPR listeners who answered the call to donate. Several businesses and individuals made Named Gifts, and many more will receive a brick or be engraved on a metal plaque. Donations are still accepted, including some Named Gifts.