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City of Spokane
Community Update
May 28, 2024
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Message from the Mayor
It was an amazing weekend at the Expo '74 50th Celebration Pow-Wow at the Falls! The Pow-Wow recognized Expo '74's Tribal Pillar, the involvement of the tribes in the fair, and our region's deep Native American history.
I hope you will join me in inviting your friends, families, and neighbors to come down and celebrate with us. The Expo '74 50th Anniversary Celebration runs through Thursday, July 4. To explore upcoming events and activities, head over to expo50spokane.com.
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National Travel and Tourism Week
Last week we celebrated National Travel and Tourism Week with Visit Spokane! In 2023, 9.8 million people visited Spokane County and spent $1.48 billion. Click here to read the proclamation and read this Spokesman-Review article for more information on Spokane's tourism industry.
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WSU Spokane Mental Health Awareness Panel
Mayor Lisa Brown participated in the Mental Health Awareness Panel hosted by Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. She discussed the City of Spokane's initiatives to support mental health in our community.
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Expo '74 Memories
Mayor Lisa Brown met with Cindy Young, the daughter of musician Dale Miller, who wrote "Expo '74" and "My Lilac City, Spokane" for the Expo '74 World's Fair. Cindy shared memories of her father and the World's Fair before they listened to her father's record. Click here to listen!
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Construction Zone
It’s challenging to navigate driving routes right now and the City of Spokane wants to help you get around and provide information for multi-jurisdictional construction projects. Travelers will experience significant travel impacts in high-traffic areas starting Tuesday, May 28 due to several regional construction projects with City of Spokane, Spokane County, and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Motorists are urged to plan ahead, allow for extra time, and look for detour changes. Please slow down for everyone’s safety and make the extra effort to support businesses impacted by the necessary projects. Current obstruction information impacting drivers in the City is available on the City’s construction webpage.
Wellesley Ave. between Market St. and Freya St. CLOSED – May 28-June 28
WSDOT contractor crews closed Wellesley Ave. today between Market St. and Freya St. Additionally, northbound and southbound lanes on the North Spokane Corridor between Wellesley Ave. interchange and the Freya St. interchange are closed. Click here for more info.
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Expo '74 50th Celebration | |
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Expo '74 - 50th Anniversary Community Stage & Vendor Village
The Expo '74 - 50th Anniversary Community Stage will be a dynamic multicultural showcase during select Saturdays at 11 a.m. in Riverfront Park and Manito Park (June 8 only). Experience a fusion of dance, performing arts, inspiring talks, and a wide array of performances from a diverse range of community talents. The stage will offer an engaging, celebratory, and varied entertainment experience for all. Enjoy international cuisine, memorabilia, and historic and interactive activities. The stage will be adjacent to the Vendor Village, featuring a variety of local vendors, artisans, and handcrafted. Click here for more information.
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Echoes of Expo
“Echoes of Expo” is an audio storytelling experience in Riverfront Park, revealing Spokane’s evolution through the lens of Expo ’74. Merging personal stories, historical insights, and immersive soundscapes, this 7-episode series explores the World Fair’s lasting impact on urban renewal, environmental awakening, the complexities of progress, and community dynamics in Spokane.
Discover each episode at the Wayfinding Signs in Riverfront Park. Click here to learn more.
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Expo '74 Historic Timeline Outdoor Exhibit
Step into a life-size journey through history at the Expo '74 Historic Timeline Outdoor Exhibit. This open-air exhibit invites history buffs, environmental advocates, and curious minds to explore the pivotal moments that shaped Expo '74 and its legacy in environmental consciousness. Beautifully presented on an expansive outdoor timeline, each stop represents a leap in the time capsule. Click here to learn more.
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Expo ’74 50th Anniversary Historic Walking Tours
Step back in time on a captivating two-hour walking tour of Riverfront Park. Discover the historical significance of Expo ’74 and its pivotal role in transforming Spokane Falls into the cherished Riverfront Park, forever altering the city’s landscape. These tours are guided by renowned local historian Chet Caskey, offering a deep dive into the city’s transformative history. Click here for more information.
Date: Saturdays, June 1,8, 15, & 22
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Visit Spokane Visitor Information Center located on the south end of Riverfront Park.
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50th Anniversary of Expo '74 Poster Contest
"Make a World of Difference! Care for our water, land, and air." This is the theme of our Expo 50th anniversary-inspired poster contest open to all Spokane County students in grades K-5. Each participant will receive a coupon for a free slice of pizza donated by Pizza Pipeline. Finalists in each grade category will be chosen for special recognition and prizes. Entries are due by Friday, June 7. Click here for more info.
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STA Offers Free Weekend Bus Rides for Expo's Anniversary
Celebrate the groovy festivities of Expo 50 Spokane with our partners Spokane Transit.
- Free fare on all routes during weekends, until July 4.
- 50¢ fare for the Downtown/North Bank Shuttle, weekdays, until July 5.
Visit STA's website for more information.
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Solid Waste Services Following Memorial Day
Solid Waste residential curbside and commercial services are a day late all week with normal Friday services planned for Saturday. Click here for more info.
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Public Safety Survey
The City of Spokane values your feedback regarding public safety leadership and community priorities. Please take our survey and encourage friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Marshallese.
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Central Library Hosting Peers Empower Peers Conference
The Spokane Public Library is partnering with local nonprofit Peers Empower Peers to host the 6th Annual Peers Empower Peers Conference at Central Library on Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Conference attendees will have access to a vast collection of resources, educational workshops, self-care activities, free lunch, self-care prizes, and more. Learn more on the library's website.
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City First in State to Implement Solar Permit Software Program
The City of Spokane has become the first city in Washington to launch a pilot project involving an online software platform for local governments to standardize, streamline, and automate the solar permitting process for residential applications. Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+) allows for an instantaneous permit application review, reducing wait times for residential rooftop solar systems by at least two weeks. Learn more on the City website.
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Permit Report Highlights Large Projects
Large building projects in Spokane that received permits in March and April included:
- Jubilant HollisterStier Line 4 Expansion-Phase 1, $90,000,000 valuation
- Liberty Park Apartments Expansion (54 residential units), $11,402,621
- Aero-Flite Maintenance Hangar, $8,700,000
- Alcobra Metals Warehouse (23,219 square feet of industrial), $3,548,644
Large projects submitted for plan review included:
- The Vistas Apartments at Beacon Hill (140 residential units), $31,708,902
- The Vistas Townhomes (86 residential units), $30,954,191
- Home Depot – South Hill, $18,576,324
- 31st Multi-Family Housing (96 units), $14,250,000
- Lyons Multi-Family (78 units), $13,000,000
- Peyton Building COU (96 units), $12,000,000
- The District Apartments Building 2B (89 units), $11,451,125
Other building permit highlights: The $257.9 million in construction value for permits issued through April is the highest total ever for a first quarter and a 43 percent increase over last year. There were 10 projects valued more than $1 million issued in March and April. More than $500 million in construction value is currently under review. Thirteen projects valued at more than $5 million were submitted for review in the past two months. The 2,340 housing units under review is the largest end-of-month amount known. Watch this video for other recent permit data.
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Water Wise Tip
Inspect your sprinklers often. Make it a habit to check your sprinkler zones after you mow to make sure you don't have any leaks and your sprinkler heads are pointing in the right direction! For more tips, visit WaterWiseSpokane.org.
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2024 Multicultural Center Grant Application Opens Tomorrow
The 2024 Multicultural Center grant, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, will open for applications on Wednesday, May 29. This program provides funding for community-serving organizations to cover capital campaign expenses, aiming to expand services. Grants of up to $100,000 are available to support the implementation of a capital campaign resulting in the organization securing a physical location for its operations. Key tasks identified for this funding include strategic planning, feasibility study, campaign implementation, and training/support for staff in relation to a capital campaign. For more info visit my.spokanecity.org/ARPAfunding
Application Opens: Wednesday, May 29
Optional Workshop: Wednesday, May 29, 10:30 a.m. virtually or in-person at Central Library, Event Room A.
Application Deadline: Friday, June 28, 5 p.m.
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Summer Reading Club
Get ready to start your Summer Reading Club adventure! This year, the Spokane Public Library expanded its prize selection so that when you read 15 days monthly between June 1 and August 31, you can earn prizes monthly while supplies last. And for the first time ever, they have prizes for adult participants!
Click here to register for the reading challenge and start reading June 1 to start earning.
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Online Open House, Survey Available for Centers and Corridors Study
An online open house and survey are available through Friday, May 31 for the City Planning Department’s Centers and Corridors Update Study. Visit the project page to learn about Centers and Corridors in Spokane, review recommended updates to this growth strategy, and provide feedback on the recommendations. For more information, please send us an email or give us a call.
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South Logan Project Comment Period. Coffee Chat Scheduled
A coffee chat for the South Logan Transit-Oriented Development Project is Thursday, May 23, and Saturday, June 1 from 9-11 a.m. at Arctos Coffee and Roasting Co., 1923 N. Hamilton St. Comments on the proposed code changes, specifically related to the South Logan TOD Subarea as well as Center and Corridor, height, and residential open space code sections will be sought through Monday, June 17 via email. However, written comments will still be accepted up to the City Council public hearing tentatively scheduled for late July. After the public comment period, the City will revise the proposed text amendments as deemed appropriate based on the received feedback. Public comments will be shared with the Plan Commission and Spokane City Council.
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Technical Assistance Business Outreach Event June 13
The Washington Minority Business Development Agency Business Center is hosting a technical assistance business outreach event to share important 2024 reporting, certification or supplier preparation, an intro to Access to Capital, and other business supportive resources. The outreach event is on Thursday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in-person in Yakima or virtually online. Click here to register! For more info email or call the City of Tacoma.
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Proposals Sought for Affordable Housing Funds
The Community, Housing, and Human Services Department is seeking proposals for affordable housing projects that are highly viable, cost-effective, project-ready, and that leverage additional funding from public and private sources. An estimated $9,094,000 in federal and local funds will be available for affordable housing development through the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and the 1590 Affordable Housing Program. The City of Spokane is interested in receiving proposals for projects that preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing for low-income households defined as those households earning less than 60% AMI. For more information click here.
Completed applications are due on Friday, June 28, 2024, by 5 p.m. For assistance in accessing the application and related forms send us an email.
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Pacific Avenue Greenway Alignment Survey, Open Houses Available
A survey is available through Sunday, June 30 for the City Planning Department’s Pacific Avenue Greenway Alignment Study. The study has identified three alignment options for the greenway, from which a preferred alternative will be chosen. Take the survey to help us choose the best option. This phase of the project is in the East Central Neighborhood, specifically within the South University District, but the entire project including Phase I, which is planned and funded, is meant to connect cyclists and pedestrians moving between downtown and the University District up to Perry Street. For more information, visit the project website, sign up to receive updates, or send an email to the project team.
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Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives | |
The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are more than 30 boards, commissions, and committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion and get involved!
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Manito Park: Flower Power Crew
Make a positive impact on the quality of life in our community by volunteering with Spokane Parks & Rec! With over 4,000 acres of protected green space and hundreds of recreation activities, volunteers are integral in helping Spokane keep our public spaces and recreation activities enjoyable and accessible to all.
Volunteer responsibilities for this opportunity at Manito Park may include weeding and pruning plant material and raking and clearing plant material from garden beds and garden pathways. Volunteers are encouraged to volunteer any time that their schedules allow. Click here for more info.
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On the Bright Side
Last week, Spokane Fire Department Station 11 firefighters helped rescue a ducking from a storm drain. The firefighters were able to successfully reunite the duckling with its mother!
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Spring Dreams: The Friends of Manito Plant Sale
The Friends of Manito’s 2024 Spring Plant Sale will be on Saturday, June 1 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Manito Park just east of Gaiser Conservatory. For a full list of plants click here.
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