According to statistics recently gathered by the real estateanalysis and appraisal firm of Auble, Jolicoeur & Gentry, classA space in downtown Spokane measures 906,891 sf. As of October itsvacancy was running 8.37%. In contrast, class A space in downtownSeattle was vacant to the tune of 10.79% as of the end of the thirdquarter. Spokane's October overall average office vacancy--including A, B and C properties -- worked out to 11.46%. Seattle'swas 13%.

Spokane rents are, of course, lower than the averages indowntown Seattle—where third quarter reports calculated Class Aspaces averaging rents at $34.25/sf. Here Class A space is fetching$18.38/sf, with the most recent deal rolling out at $19.72/sf.

Karen Meek, an appraiser with Spokane-based Auble, Jolicoeur& Gentry, tells GlobeSt new leases in Spokane's CBD are "beingwritten with built-in rent escalation clauses of 2 to 3 percent,and most leases for smaller tenants are running three to fiveyears." Tenant improvements she says are running $5-$15/sf. And,she says, "Most buildings in Spokane are now being rented on ausable-area basis. But, new buildings are going to rentable, andsome of the older ones are converting."