City of Spokane

Community Update

Aug. 22, 2023

A Message from Mayor Woodward

Our community has been deeply impacted by the fires that have engulfed neighborhoods and lives around our region. For the thousands that have been impacted, thousands more know and support someone who has experienced the terror of the past several days. We are devastated and shaken by their loss.


As dark as these days have been the outpouring of support has been truly amazing. The Spokane region has come together with offers of food, shelter, clothing, animal care, and so many other individual acts that make a big difference.  


It’s times like this that remind us that we truly live as one, extremely caring region. We are a place where helping our neighbor in time of need is a belief system that shows itself in our actions time and again.


Our friends, neighbors, and loved ones have been dealt a major blow. Some are just beginning to pick up the pieces while others are still waiting anxiously. 


For those of you fortunate enough to be in a position to help lend a hand or a shoulder to cry on, thank you for showing us what it means to meet this moment together. 


And, to the first responders, who are still on the fire lines, communicating with families, and keeping their neighborhoods safe from further impact, thank for answering the call over and over despite your exhaustion.  


Brighter days are ahead because of all of you.

Construction Zone

Construction Update 8-20-23

Construction Update

Get an update on the private project at Francis Ave. and Freya St. and the upcoming Maple Street Bridge Deck and Joint Repair project

Work WITH Us during construction season:

  • Allow for More Time and Patience
  • Slow Down and Stay Alert
  • Follow Designated Detours and Obey Speed Limits
Weekly Obstruction Notice
Your City at Work

Spokane County Resources for Wildfire Victims

Spokane County released a list of resources that will be continually updated for those impacted by wildfires and residents seeking more information. 

Last Days of the 2023 Summer Pool Season

Last Day to Swim Is Friday

Open swim ends Friday, Aug. 25. Swimming is free at Cannon, Comstock, Hillyard, Liberty and Shadle Aquatic Centers. Click here for aquatic center hours.

Comp Plan Amendment Applications To Be Accepted

Pre-submittal meetings for citizens, developers and adjacent jurisdictions to apply for amendments to the City’s Comprehensive Plan are being scheduled. To schedule a pre-submittal meeting or to ask amendment process questions, contact us via phone or email. During the pre-submittal meeting, applications will be provided. The application period is from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31. More info on our website.

Spokane City Parks Working to Reduce Water Use

Spokane Parks Working to Reduce Water Use

Partner with us as we make irrigation improvements in parks and on golf courses. Learn more about the ongoing work to foster healthy parks, including pollinator projects, water conservation, and pesticide reduction at SpokaneParks.org/ParkHealth.

Clean Buildings Workshops Scheduled

Building owners and operators are invited to rulemaking workshops organized by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Clean Buildings Team. The state Clean Buildings law is intended to lower costs and pollution from fossil fuel consumption in the state’s existing covered buildings and multi-family buildings. The workshops on Thursday, Aug. 24 and Tuesday, Sept. 12 include a review of proposed rules and comments collected through the rulemaking process. Visit the City's website for more information and to register. 

Council Recap 8-21-23

Council Recap

Council Member Michael Cathcart recaps the Monday, Aug. 21, Spokane City Council meeting.

Avista Project on Bluff Begins Aug 28

Work to replace a two-mile stretch of transmission line from Avista’s Sunset Substation below High Drive Bluff (below 29th Ave) to downtown Spokane begins Monday, Aug. 28. Crews will be working six days a week from 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. to complete the work by Friday, Nov. 10. Learn more about the project on Avista's website.

Water Wise Spokane Tip - Know Your Soil

Water Wise Spokane Tip - Know Your Soil

How much you should water depends on the type of soil you have. Learn more at WaterWiseSpokane.org!

Survey Seeks Input on Access-To-Transit Improvements in East Central

The cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley and Spokane Transit Authority are seeking community feedback through Thursday, Sept. 21 on ways to improve access to transit in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood and western Spokane Valley, including improvements for safely walking, biking and rolling to bus stops along Route 94 between Liberty Park and Havana Street. The survey is related to an joint application to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program that will focus on reconnecting neighborhoods and restoring communities divided by transportation infrastructure. Take the survey!

"Sun Shine Through" Sculpture Dedication Postponed

The “Sun Shine Through” sculpture dedication at the gateway of the Emerson-Garfield and North Hill neighborhoods on Monroe St. scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 22 has been postponed until further notice due to the poor air quality.

City of Spokane Jobs

The City of Spokane is hiring! Check out the featured jobs of the week:


For a full list of job openings with the City of Spokane click here.

Become A Foster Parent

Support students in Spokane County who are experiencing foster care in your school district.


Help us keep children and youth in their school community.


Become a foster parent today!


Contact Gabriela Mendez at 509.407.7829 or gabriela.mendez@dcyf.wa.gov.


Follow Future Foster Parents of Washington on Facebook!

Need Mental Health Help?

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 9-8-8


Contact Or Walk-In: Frontier Behavioral Health (509) 838-4651 ext 012082. 

Contact or Walk-In: Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (509) 992-1888


CHAS Health: (509) 444-8200


Excelsior Wellness Center: (509) 559-3100

Request Online Appointment

Help for children, adults and families is available via telehealth.


Teen Text and Chat Line: 844-814-TEEN (8336)

Free confidential safe place service available to any teen or young adult.


Veterans Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255


Need Resources? 

Call Washington 211 at 2-1-1 or (877) 211-9274 to speak to a local agent

Text your Zip Code to 898211 or email ew211@incontactmail.com

Apply for basic food assistance over the phone!

Access to resources online at: wa211.org

Sign-up for their Newsletter!

Need Access to Food?

Contact SNAP at (509) 319-3050 or SRTC@snapwa.org

Domestic Violence and

Child Abuse Prevention Resources


Prevention at Home Video Series


Trauma Recovery Services

Lutheran Community Services: (509) 747-8224

Intensive Behavioral Health, Victim Advocacy and Foster Care, are available.

Are you prepared in case of an emergency?

Check out the City’s Emergency Management page!

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!

Cooling Center Donations Needed

If community organizations or individuals would like to donate resources to be used during heat waves for individuals in need in Spokane, consider donating bottled water, Gatorade/Powerade, other caffeine-free hydration drinks and sunscreen. Gatorade/Powerade powder that is mixed with water goes farther than pre-mixed hydration drinks. Please email the Emergency Management Department to arrange donations. 

Summer Fun: Manito Plant Sale

The Friends of Manito’s 2023 Fall Plant Sale is Saturday, Aug. 26, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Manito Park, east of Gaiser Conservatory. Click here for more info and the plant list.

Summer Fun: Tacos y Tequila Festival

Tacos y Tequila is a two-day festival that celebrates Hispanic culture and history! Join us at Central Library on Saturday, Aug. 26 and Sunday, Aug. 27, for two full days of live music from various regions of Latin America, delicious food featuring flavors of Latin America from local Spokane food vendors, and delicious tequilas and mescals! Click here for more info.

On the Bright Side

This week, Dick's Sporting Goods at Northpointe partnered with SPD and sponsored ten kids for their Shop with a Cop program. Each child received a $150 gift card to spend. Dick’s is a firm believer that sports change lives for the better, and the youth shoppers came from SPD’s Police Activities League (PAL) program. The young shoppers were awarded gift cards for consistently living out the PAL core values of Respect, Honesty, Sportsmanship, Leadership, and Integrity. We are so proud of these kiddos and so grateful to Dick’s!

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