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City of Spokane
Community Update
June 3, 2025
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June Is Pride Month
Happy Pride Month, Spokane! We are proud to fly the pride flag here at City Hall and stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA2S+ community because, in Spokane, we all belong.
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Mayor Brown Speaks At The State of Downtown
Last Friday, Mayor Lisa Brown spoke at the State of Downtown and shared updates on the progress and exciting work we are doing in downtown Spokane.
| | Community and Economic Development Updates | | |
Multi-Family Tax Exemption Helps Create Affordable Housing Units
To encourage multifamily development and provide affordable workforce housing, the City of Spokane's Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) program provides a unique opportunity for developers to assist in meeting the need for additional housing by providing a tax break to qualifying multifamily projects. This program has resulted in 2,675 affordable units in the City of Spokane. Read more about the MFTE program in this KXLY article.
| | The Warren Apartments at 206 W. Riverside Avenue, benefited from the Multifamily Property Tax Exemption program. | | |
City Building Inspectors Unavailable During Training
There are two days in June when our building inspectors will be in International Code Council training, meaning the City of Spokane will not be performing inspections on those days. Building and Plumbing Inspectors will not be performing inspections on Monday, June 9, and Electrical and Mechanical Inspectors will not be performing inspections on Thursday, June 12.
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Navigation Center-Specialized Shelter Site System
The City of Spokane is advancing its efforts to address homelessness through the implementation of a pilot navigation center and small, specialized shelter site model. This new approach to homelessness alleviates having a large shelter in one neighborhood, is more cost-effective, and has shown to be more successful in connecting vulnerable people in Spokane to treatment and housing. Learn more on the City of Spokane's website.
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New Library Hours
Starting this Sunday, June 8, all Spokane Public Library locations will have new open hours:
- Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Learn more about this change here!
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City Council Town Hall
The District 2 Neighborhood/City Council Town Hall is scheduled for Monday, June 9 at 6 p.m. at the MLK Community Center. This event is open to everyone but specifically geared toward District 2 residents and business owners. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question at the town hall, sign up using this form by Monday, June 9.
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Field Day at Lincoln Park
Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council is hosting a Field Day at Lincoln Park on Saturday, June 7 from 8 – 11 a.m. Participate in a park-wide weed pluck, nature walks with local naturalists, and more! The family friendly event is free and open to everyone. Click here for more info.
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Help Shape the Future of Spokane Public Library
Spokane Public Library is seeking feedback from the community to shape the direction of the future of the library. Vision 2030 will guide the library’s services, spaces, and programs for the next five years. Share your thoughts in six different areas: customer experience, sustainability, inclusivity, technology and access, programming, and workforce development. The questions can be completed in more than 120 languages. Spokane residents are encouraged to take part in the feedback process.
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Historic Walking Tours
Join local historian Chet Caskey for a free walking tour of Riverfront Park! Learn the rich history of the magnificent Spokane Falls, Expo '74, U.S. Pavilion, 1902 Clock Tower, 1909 Looff Carrousel, Centennial Trail, and more. Tours are on select Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Details on our website.
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Water Wise Tip
Rise and shine, Spokane! Water your landscapes before 10 a.m. on your odd or even watering days to reduce evaporation and keep your plants hydrated and healthy all day long. Learn more at WaterWiseSpokane.org.
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Financial Coaching Workshop Series
Join The ZONE and Spokane Public Schools for interactive Financial Coaching Workshops and take control of your financial future! Free for all northeast families and students, food and childcare included. Participants who join both workshops will receive a grocery gift card at the second session. Click here to register.
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Date & Time: Tuesday, June 10, 5:30 p.m. & Tuesday, June 24, 7:30 p.m.
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Location: Shaw Middle School, 4106 N. Cook Street
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Council Recap
Council Member Paul Dillon recaps the Monday, June 2, Spokane City Council meeting.
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Council Seeks Applications to Fill Expected Vacancy
Spokane City Council is accepting applications to fill District 2, Position 2. The individual appointed to this seat would serve approximately four months. Applications for the position are due Friday, June 20. Click here for more information.
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Seeking Artists to Design Crosswalks
The City of Spokane and Spokane Arts are looking for artists to design crosswalks that will be cast in thermoplastics for long-lasting safety and beauty! Spokane Arts is accepting applications for two crosswalks; Comsock Ct. and Lincoln Dr. and 509 E. 33rd Ave.
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Utility Bill Credit Available for Qualified Spokane Residents
Are you a low-income senior or disabled property owner who is eligible for Spokane County’s property tax exemption? You may also qualify for City of Spokane’s monthly utility bill credit program. This initiative is part of Spokane’s ongoing efforts to support vulnerable community members and help reduce the cost of essential services. Apply today.
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Summer Reading Club
People of all ages are welcome to participate in the Spokane Public Library’s FREE Summer Reading Club for fun events, great reads, and awesome prizes between June 1 and August 31! Interested in participating? Register for the challenge on Beanstack or use the reading tracker in the library’s Summer Reading magazines (coming soon). What do you get for participating? In addition to having exciting event experiences, learning new things, and discovering new books, you have the chance to win prizes monthly. Click here to learn more.
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Riverfront Eats Returns
Join us every Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., June through August, on the orange Howard Street Bridge for Riverfront Eats. Your go-to lunch spot in the heart of downtown Spokane! Come enjoy a rotating lineup of local food trucks, serving up everything from savory bites to sweet treats. Grab your coworkers, friends, or family and soak up the summer vibes with great food and beautiful river views. Click here for more information.
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Riverfront Moves
Get ready to move! The Riverfront Moves Fitness Series presented by Providence is back for the summer. Join Riverfront Spokane for FREE outdoor workouts all season long, from pilates to yoga, jazzercise to barre, and everything in between. Click here to view the full schedule.
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Strengthening Spokane Together
One focus of the November Spokane Parks levy is to fund wildfire fuel reduction and trail improvements in city parks, including maintenance of fire mitigation efforts like those recently conducted at Edwidge Woldson Park. The levy touches every park in every neighborhood. It improves every park restroom and playground, expands maintenance and Limited Commission Park Ranger staff, and repairs or expands recreation amenities to address the growing demand for youth and adult recreation. The Parks levy is part of the joint Together Spokane initiative with Spokane Public Schools – two separate ballot initiatives with a shared vision. If both pass, 30 additional projects would be completed. Learn more at togetherspokane.org and scroll to view a map of what projects are proposed for your neighborhood.
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We Are Hiring!
The City of Spokane is hiring! Check out our featured job of the week:
For a full list of job openings with the City of Spokane, click here.
Understanding City of Spokane's Pension Plan
Working for the City of Spokane has perks! Discover how our SERS pension plan sets you up for a secure and predictable retirement. Read the blog post on our website to learn more.
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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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Hoopfest Looking For Volunteers
Hoopfest is celebrating its 35th anniversary on the streets of downtown Spokane this summer! They are looking for court monitors for all levels of play and no officiating experience is necessary. Court monitors are the most crucial event volunteer and it’s the only volunteer opportunity that places you in the middle of some great basketball.
Court monitors will receive a package of athletic gear, along with a gift card to Dick’s Sporting Goods. Signing up is fast and easy.
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Spring Dreams: The Friends of Manito Plant Sale
The Friends of Manito's 2025 Spring Plant Sale is Saturday, June 7 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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On The Bright Side
The planting of 30,000 annuals at Manito Park's Duncan Garden is complete! We are excited to see them bloom.
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