|
City of Spokane
Community Update
May 14, 2024
| |
|
Message from the Mayor
Happy Bike to Work Week! Every week, people across Spokane contact me asking for more resources to enforce traffic laws and create safer streets and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. As a cyclist myself, I share their concerns and believe we can do more. It will take collaboration and coordination, but I know together with the City Council and our planning team that we can come up with solutions.
| |
86th Annual Spokane Lilac Festival Week
Mayor Lisa Brown presented the Spokane Lilac Festival with a proclamation honoring May 13-18 as the 86th Annual Spokane Lilac Festival Week! We look forward to Saturday's Cruzin the Falls Car Show at 9 a.m., Lilac Marketplace at 11 a.m., Brewfest at 1 p.m., and of course, the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade at 7:30 p.m. Visit spokanelilacfestival.org/festivalweek for more information.
| |
|
City Addresses Recent Uptick In Racist Vandalism
In Spokane, we all belong. Mayor Lisa Brown, Council Member Kitty Klitzke, Council Member Lili Navarrete, and the Office of Civil Rights, Equity, and Inclusion Jerrall Haynes provide a message regarding the recent uptick in racist vandalism in the city.
| |
Mayor Joins Avista Utilities Press Conference
As wildfire season approaches, preparation and mitigation become paramount. The City of Spokane continues to work with Avista Utilities and other local partners to implement fire fuel reduction projects, educate the community about Wildland Urban Interface wildfire risk, and provide cooling center spaces during extreme heat.
| |
|
Construction Update
The City of Spokane shares updates on the 29th Ave. grind & overlay and Marshall Road Transmission Main projects.
| |
|
Expo '74 50th Celebration | |
|
Meet us at the City Block at Expo’s 50th Celebration
Visit our City Block at Saturday’s Expo ’74 50th Celebration! Ten City of Spokane departments will be forming a City Block of information at the Community Stage & Vendor Village Day. Come chat with various departments, ask questions, and engage in your community!
- Saturday, May 18
- 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Riverfront Park – near the Rotary Fountain
Visit the City's website for more info.
| |
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.
| |
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.
| |
|
Club '74 Speakeasy
Don't miss the final weekend of Club '74 Speakeasy! May 17-18 is 21+ only, with a family-friendly event on May 19. Limited tickets are available first-come, first-served. For guaranteed entry, buy your ticket online in advance here.
| |
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.
| |
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, from May 4 to July 4.
- 50¢ fare for the Downtown/North Bank Shuttle, weekdays, from May 3 to July 5.
Visit STA's website for more information.
| |
|
Shelter Audit Points Toward Scattered Site Model
An audit of Spokane’s homeless shelter system points toward moving from large congregate shelters to a model with smaller, scattered sites. The audit was among the recommendations from Mayor Lisa Brown’s transition committees to better understand shelters, capacity, and resources. It included shelter tours, feedback from providers, the community, and those with lived experience, as well as community and neighborhood council surveys. Visit the City's website for more information.
| |
Spokane's Homeless Outreach Team Adopts New Structure
The City of Spokane’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) has adopted a new structure to improve complaint response, broaden geographical coverage, and better serve community needs concerning illegal camping and other secondary impacts of homelessness. Visit our City's website to learn more.
| |
Happy Bike to Work Week
Bike to Work Week is May 13-17! The Spokane Bicycle Club has events all MONTH to celebrate.
- May 16th Pacific Avenue Neighborhood Greenway Project Open House, University Gateway Bridge, 4-6 p.m.
- May 17th Bike to Work Day - Energizer Stations for Morning Cyclists, 9 locations, 7-9 a.m.
Find more events at spokanebicycleclub.org/SpokaneBikes.
|  | |
Pacific Avenue Greenway Alignment Survey, Open Houses Available
An online 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. Come to pop-up open houses on Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m. at the South Landing of the University District Gateway Bridge and on Friday, May 17, 7-9 a.m. at the Riverfront Park's North Bank, near the purple butterfly. For more information, visit the project website, sign up to receive updates, or send an email to the project team.
|  | |
Warm Weather and River Safety Reminder
The City of Spokane and Spokane Fire Department want to remind you of these safety tips around the Spokane River:
- Don’t allow children to play in the river.
- Always wear a lifejacket.
- Stay out of any signed restricted areas.
- Be aware of large debris in the river.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have an emergency along the river!
More information on our website.
| |
Water Wise Tip
It’s a pollutants pop quiz! Test your knowledge about healthy storm drains. Learn more at SpokaneStormWater.org.
| |
|
Public Safety Survey
The City of Spokane values your feedback regarding public safety leadership and community priorities. Thank you for taking our public safety survey! Please encourage friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Marshallese.
| |
Landing More High-Tech Jobs for Spokane
Mayor Lisa Brown signed an executive order that streamlines the process of attracting new businesses and promoting economic development in our region.
| |
South Logan Project Coffee Chats Scheduled
Coffee chats for the South Logan Transit-Oriented Development Project are Thursday, May 23, and Saturday, June 1 from 9-11 a.m. at Arctos Coffee and Roasting Co., 1923 N. Hamilton St. Come learn about citywide and area-specific development code changes that are being proposed and chat with a City planner.
| |
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 website 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.
| |
Incentives Available for Workforce Housing
The Economic Development team in the Planning Services Department meets regularly with property owners and developers about two City incentives that help make constructing workforce housing more financially feasible. Watch staff present on the Multi-family Tax Exemption and Parking 2 People at the April Urban Experience Committee (agenda and background information). If you’re interested in how you might apply for these incentives for your project send us an email.
|  | |
New State Incentive to Convert Buildings to Housing
The State passed legislation that will go live in June that allows for a sales and use tax exemption for projects converting existing commercial buildings to affordable housing units. The City’s Economic Development team is working with the Department of Commerce on guidance for property owners who are interested in converting their buildings to housing units. Read E2SSB 6175 for the bill language or email the Economic Development Team for questions about how the incentive might work locally.
| |
|
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!
| |
Hoopfest Looking for Volunteer Court Monitors
Hoopfest is looking for court monitors for the largest 3on3 basketball tournament on the planet. All levels of basketball experience are invited to participate, Hoopfest will provide all the tools and training needed for the weekend. Hoopfest 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, and Sunday, June 30. Click here to register to be a court monitor.
| |
|
|
Spring Dreams: SpokaneScape 101
Want your own SpokaneScape, but don't know where to start? Join us every third Wednesday now through October, for SpokaneScape 101 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the WSU Extension (222 N Havana St)! Learn about landscape and irrigation design, tour the Water Wise Garden, and more. Space is limited, register today!
| |
|
On the Bright Side
The Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens have opened for the season! The Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens are located just west of the Corbin Art Center at 507 W. 7th Ave. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and closed on Mondays.
| | | | |
