News Article

A ceremony to dedicate Gonzaga University’s Kennedy Apartment complex will begin at 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at the complex site, 121 E. Boone Ave., at the corner of Boone Avenue and Pearl Street. A reception and guided tours will follow at 4:30 p.m.

An arson fire on March 13, 2006 destroyed the nearly finished three-building complex. That complex, which had been scheduled to open in fall 2006, was rebuilt from its foundations. Investigators for the Spokane Fire Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms determined the blaze was intentionally set. The case remains unsolved.

The apartments are named for Duff and Dorothy Kennedy; Duff Kennedy, a former chairman of the Gonzaga University Board of Trustees, is now a Trustee Emeritus. The complex now houses more than 220 Gonzaga juniors and seniors. The buildings feature an in-house bistro, covered parking, multiple recreation rooms, a sun room and sun deck, live-in professional staff and a GU apparel retail store.

Phase II of the Kennedy project is under way at Boone Avenue and Ruby Street. Phase II, to be completed in August 2008, will house an additional 195 students.

For more information about the dedication ceremony, contact Laura Gatewood, director of stewardship, University Relations, via e-mail or at (509) 323-6381. For more information about the apartments, contact Dale Goodwin at (509) 323-6133.