The 1970's
EXPO 74 defined this decade for the construction industry in Spokane. While the nation was suffering from the energy crisis, the Inland Northwest saw more than $350 million invested in downtown Spokane to get ready for the world stage. Many AGC members were involved with the planning, building and execution of EXPO 74, a legacy our community still celebrates today.
As times got tougher towards the end of the decade, the number of open-shop contractors grew quickly, making a tight construction market even more competitive.
1970
Revised plans for the NSC are proposed to be located on the Nevada-Helena Corridor. The next year, the Citizens Against Residential Freeway (CARF) group formed to oppose the project.
WSU/AGC Student Chapter was formed.
1975
Thanks to the leadership of Bill Murphy and Jeff Kuney, BUILD East, the AGC Political Action Committee, was started for the purpose of raising funds to promote legislation and legislators favorable to the construction industry.
1971
AGC forms Environmental Improvement Committee and Public Relations committee.
1976
The AGC helped fund the World of Construction Radio show, three-minute construction news broadcast that would be aired twice weekly in both the Spokane and Tri-Cities markets.
1973
Fuel and material shortages, driven by the national energy crisis, threaten construction work across the region. AGC leaders predict a 10-20% slowdown in work, and corresponding unemployment.
1974
Expo ’74 was hosted in Spokane Washington. The AGC was closely involved with the planning of the event and the majority of the $350 million in new construction was performed by AGC members.
Highlights
Presidents
1970 George A. Grant, George A. Grant, Inc.
1971 Robert C. Carbon, United Paving, Inc.
1972 Emmett Nelson, Nor-Pac Corp
1973 Don Materne, Materne Bros.
1974 Lee Walker, Hazen & Clark, Inc.
1975 Donald Herak, ACME Concrete
1976 Frank Bouten, Gus J. Bouten Construction
1977 Jeff Kuney, Max J. Kuney, Co.
1978 B.M. Kopczynski, Kop Construction, Inc.
1979 Frank Noble, Jr., Sceva Construction
New Members
1971 Poe Asphalt Paving, Inc.
1974 Performance Contracting, Inc.
1974 PayneWest Insurance
1976 Garco Construction