SPOKANE, Wash. — Amid the charred landscape of a Five Mile neighborhood, a concrete truck rumbled into position Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for one Spokane family determined to rebuild after losing everything in the recent fires.
John and Janice Spring watched as workers poured the foundation for their new home — a moment that represented nearly two months of persistent effort to navigate the complex rebuilding process.
“I feel giddy. I feel like a little kid. I’m so happy to see actually moving forward, concrete going down and hopefully a foundation in a couple more weeks and move right into framing after that,” John Spring said.
The Springs were the first family to obtain a rebuild permit from the city and are now leading the way in reconstruction efforts. When they lost their home, they went on a mission: rebuild as quickly as possible.
The path to pouring concrete required significant financial investment and administrative hurdles. The family paid over $7,000 in various fees to move the project forward. They also had to wait for asbestos results and obtain clearance from the EPA before construction could begin. Despite these obstacles, the Springs described the process as relatively smooth.
The Springs benefited from an outpouring of community support that proved invaluable. John Spring owns a flooring business and has extensive connections throughout the construction industry — relationships that opened doors when they needed help most.
“[There was an] Endless amount of people that wanted to help me. And so, it was really enlightening to see all the people that really cared and wanted to help us,” John Spring said.
One of those supporters was Lonnie Edward, owner of Built on Trust contracting company. He’s working to rebuild the house.
“Building a home for somebody, you know I don’t take that lightly. Because, at the end of the day, it’s the biggest investment that 90% of us make in our livelihood,” Edwards said.
The Springs still face approximately eight months before they can move into their new home. The timeline includes completing the foundation, framing, and all subsequent construction phases. Despite the wait ahead, the family remains focused on the future.
They’re particularly looking forward to having a place where their grandson can visit — and to having a new home where their old one once stood.
Hundreds of families remain in various stages of the rebuilding process, working through the same permitting and clearance requirements that the Springs navigated.
The city has issued two rebuild permits to date, with seven additional permits currently in progress.
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