|
City of Spokane
Community Update
April 9, 2024
| |
|
Message from the Mayor
Today is my 100th day in office. In that time, I have laid the groundwork for positive change and progress in our city. I have prioritized engaging with community members, listening to their concerns, and understanding the unique challenges they face because I believe that together, we can accomplish our goals. Enhancing public safety is a top priority for me and I hope you will join us at our commuity meetings this month to share your feedback on what is most important to you.
| |
Celebrating EWU 142nd Birthday
Mayor Lisa Brown kicked off Eastern Washington University's Give Joy Day! Give Joy Day celebrates EWU's birthday and is their largest fundraising day.
| |
|
Countdown To Expo '74 50th Anniversary Celebration
We are 24 days away from the Expo '74 50th Anniversary Celebration! Expo '74 was an exciting and transformational time for the City of Spokane. Now, 50 years later, we are looking forward to doing it all over again. Visit www.expo50spokane.com for all the anniversary celebration details.
| |
Lunch with Lisa
Mayor Lisa Brown hosted her first Lunch with Lisa event. The lunch was a great way for City Hall staff to meet the Mayor and the Mayor's Office staff.
| |
|
Washington St. Corridor Construction
The intersection of Washington Street and Boone Avenue is closed for the installation of water, storm, and signal upgrades. This closure will last until April 22.
What to Expect:
- All lanes on Washington are closed between North River Dr. and Maxwell Ave.
- Southbound drivers are rerouted at Maxwell Ave.
- Northbound drivers are rerouted at North River Drive.
- Eastbound drivers are rerouted at Howard St.
- Westbound drivers are rerouted at Calispel St.
Drivers are all highly encouraged to utilize Division St., Monroe St., and the Maple/Ash corridor for north-south travel and Maxwell Ave. for east-west travel. View the map.
Click here to learn more
| |
|
|
Public Safety Community Meetings
The City of Spokane is hosting four meetings to seek input on the community’s public safety priorities. Meetings are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, April 9, 5:30 - 7 p.m. at West Central Community Center
- Thursday, April 11, 6 - 7 p.m. at Northeast Community Center
- Tuesday, April 16, 6 - 7:30 p.m. at Liberty Park Library
- Tuesday, April 30, 5:30 - 7 p.m. virtual meeting.
Visit our website for more information.
| |
Mayor Brown Appoints Interim Fire Chief O'Berg To Full-Time Role
Mayor Lisa Brown has appointed Julie O’Berg to be the permanent Chief of the Spokane Fire Department. She is a well-respected leader who is a tremendous asset to the fire department and the Spokane community. Chief O’Berg is the first woman to lead the Spokane Fire Department. Click here to learn more.
| |
Neighborhood News You Can Use
News you can use with the Office of Neighborhood Services! Visit spokaneneighborhoods.org to find out what neighborhood you live in and how to join your neighborhood council.
| |
Get Lit! Festival
Eastern Washington University’s annual Get Lit! Festival occurs April 11 - 14 in various locations around Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, featuring a host of writing workshops, panels, and readings by regionally and nationally celebrated authors.
Get Lit! is one of the major vehicles for literature in our city, and has no doubt played a substantial role in making Spokane the town of readers that it is. Be sure to check out some of the free Get Lit! programs at Central Library!
| |
Traffic Emphasis Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and SPD is conducting an emphasis in conjunction with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the local Target Zero office. Distracted driving is dangerous and expensive. Just don’t!
| |
Who to Call
The City made an infographic on who to call during crimes in progress, non-emergent crimes, and when City codes are being violated.
| |
|
Council Recap
Council Member Paul Dillon recaps the Monday, April 8, Spokane City Council meeting.
| |
Manito Park's Japanese Garden Open For The Season
Manito Park's Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden has opened for the season! Hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.
| |
Become A Master Composter/Recycler
Jessica shares an update on class four of the Master Composter/Recycling course. Click here to read all about worms and vermicomposting. The blog will be updated weekly!
| |
Hillyard Tour Offers Firsthand Look for Commission, Staff, Council
The City of Spokane Plan Commission, along with Northeast Public Development Authority Executive Director Jesse Bank, City staff, and Council Members Kitty Klitzke and Michael Cathcart recently visited Hillyard to better understand the neighborhood and its current condition. The tour was part of the Hillyard Subarea Plan process. The plan proposes strategies to address housing needs and infrastructure deficiencies, improve quality of life, increase economic opportunity and place brownfields and other underutilized properties back into productive use. The project also addresses and seeks to prevent the displacement of the existing residents and businesses as the area improves over time. Read more on our website.
|  | |
WA Food Truck Inspection Event
Are you acquainted with anyone in the area who runs a food truck? This year, a new state permit and an event permit are necessary to operate a food truck in Spokane County. On Monday, April 15, representatives from the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals will be accessible from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Spokane County Fairgrounds for complimentary food truck permit inspections.
| |
Water Wise Wednesday Workshops
Learn about Integrated Pest Management! Join us on Wednesday, April 10, to discover eco-friendly pest control strategies for your home, garden, and workplace. Weekly classes on varying topics are FREE every Wednesday through April 24. Visit the workshop page for more class information!
| |
Funds Available For Affordable Housing
The City’s Community, Housing, and Human Services Department is providing notice that an estimated $3,495,200 in federal funds through the 2024 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) for affordable housing development is available to apply for through Wednesday, May 1. The program is intended for affordable housing projects that are highly viable, cost effective, project-ready (completed within 12 to 18 months) and that leverage additional funding from public and private sources. The Request for Proposals and scoring criteria are on the City website.
| |
Development Services Center To Be Closed
One Hour April 16
The Development Services Center on the Third Floor of City Hall will be closed on Tuesday, April 16, from noon to 1 p.m. for an internal meeting. Phone messages left during this hour will be returned as soon as possible.
| |
|
City of Spokane Jobs
The City of Spokane is hiring! Check out our featured jobs of the week:
For a full list of job openings with the City of Spokane click here.
| |
|
|
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!
Plant Trees at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge staff are seeking volunteers to assist with potting 5,000 trees. Beginning Tuesday, April 9, refuge staff will be hosting single-day tree potting sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Volunteers will spend a half or full day assisting refuge staff potting native trees such as aspen, hawthorn, and cottonwood. Visit the Turnbull website for more info.
| |
|
|
Spring Dreams: Club '74 Speakeasy
Come celebrate the 50th anniversary of Expo at Club '74 Speakeasy. This unique outdoor 70's style venue is located at the Stepwell, Riverfront Park’s newest art piece. Hosted by Spokane’s grooviest DJs, this series of events will feature vibrant lighting, video project, music, a dance floor, and local beer, wine, and specialty cocktails/mocktails. Come join in on the fun and let's party like it is 1974! Make your reservation here.
Club ’74 members plus one guest can enter for free by showing their Club ’74 Membership Pass at the door.
| |
|
On the Bright Side
Congratulations to Employee of the Quarter Amanda Kiehn! Amanda has created a culture of teamwork and collaboration across all departments of the Community and Economic Development Division. She often goes out of her way to make sure everyone feels like they're a part of what's happening across the division, including spending time organizing events like potlucks, highlighting staff accolades, and circulating a division newsletter. Thank you Amanda!
| | | | |
