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City of Spokane
Community Update
March 26, 2024
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Message from the Mayor
It has been a busy start to spring here in Spokane! Last week, the City got a head start on some spring cleaning as we welcomed several big sporting events, and now we are looking forward to the exciting opportunities that come as the weather changes. From pickleball to lawn bowling to art classes, there is something for everyone and you can find it in our Spring & Summer Activity Guide.
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Mayor Lisa Brown Visits Boise
Mayor Lisa Brown and her team had the opportunity to visit the beautiful City of Boise. During their stay, representatives from the City of Spokane and Boise shared ideas related to housing and bike- and pedestrian-friendly streets that activate downtown. They were amazed to discover the similarities between Spokane and Boise and look forward to partnering together. Mayor Lisa Brown and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean also attended the kick-off for Treefort Music Fest, a five-day music festival in downtown Boise! Both mayors are music enthusiasts and understand the importance of supporting creative enterprises as a way to foster economic growth and build a stronger sense of community.
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Mayor Brown Proposes Strategic Investment Plans With ARPA, New Opioid Abatement Funds
Mayor Lisa Brown is proposing two strategic investment plans using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and opioid abatement funds. The two proposals include recommendations that invest in health, human services, and accessibility to create an overall vibrant, clean, and safe community. Learn more on our website.
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The Zone Meets With Mayor Brown
Mayor Lisa Brown met with Jene from The ZONE, as well as students Donalda and Esmerelda. They discussed the importance of making Driver’s Ed. more affordable and accessible to everyone.
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Spokane Secures Funding Agreement for Encampment Cleanup
The City of Spokane has reached an agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington State Department of Commerce to designate the Division/Browne corridor from Sprague to I-90 as a priority encampment zone under the state’s Right-of-Way Encampment Resolution Program (ROW ERP).
This designation of a portion of Highway 395 will allow the City of Spokane the flexibility to utilize new and existing unspent funding to address the serial encampments in the corridor. The City anticipates a $4 million appropriation of ROW ERP funds, which is in addition to the remaining $2.5 million in unspent funds from a previous allocation. This new agreement is in addition to the funding agreement with WSDOT for city gateway cleanup. Learn more on our website.
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Easter Egg Hunt at Riverfront Park
Join Riverfront Spokane for an exciting, free Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday! In partnership with One Heart Spokane and The ISAAC Foundation, we are delighted to bring back our Sensory Supportive Easter Egg Hunt at the Providence Playscape, alongside the traditional free Easter egg hunts. This year, we're pulling out all the stops with thousands of eggs and candies, with a grand total of over 20,000 eggs! Online registration for the Sensory Supportive Easter Egg Hunt is highly encouraged.
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Spokane Fire Department Aerial Evacuation Training
Take a look at the Spokane Fire Department's annual training at the Numerica SkyRide! A new glider device will help firefighters perform faster aerial evacuations on the SkyRide.
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Spring & Summer Activity Guide
The Spring & Summer Activity Guide is here! It's available online, at your local library, grocery store, or City Hall. Look inside for hundreds of opportunities for all interests, ages, and abilities!
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Apply for an Artist Residency at The Hive®
Calling all artists! Do you want to dedicate more time to your craft? Apply for an artist residency at The Hive®! The Spokane Public Library is looking for artists available for residencies from October – December 2024 and for all of 2025. Applications are open through Friday, April 12. Read this blog to learn more and apply online.
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Spring Outdoor Pickleball Leagues
Spokane Parks and Recreation has partnered with the Pickleball Players Network to offer men's, women's, and mixed leagues in Comstock and Mission Park! Play Thursdays or Sundays starting Sunday, April 14. Sign up today!
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Altamont Loop Study Results to be Presented
There will be a presentation to share the revisions that were requested during last month’s meeting to share the Altamont Loop Traffic Study results. The virtual presentation will be on Tuesday, April 16, at 7 p.m. as part of the regularly scheduled Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council meeting. Read our blog for more information.
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Water Wise Workshops
Elevate your outdoor space with expertise! Join us on the 27th for a hands-on workshop covering the fundamentals of drip irrigation. Learn the secrets to a stunning landscape transformation. Weekly classes on varying topics are FREE every Wednesday through April 24. Visit the workshop page for more class information!
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Deadline to Remove Studded Tires Is March 31
Spring is here, and with it – the deadline to remove studded tires before end of day Sunday, March 31. Avoid a potential fine of $137 and remove your studded tires! Click here to learn more.
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Council Recap
Council Member Jonathan Bingle recaps the Monday, March 25, Spokane City Council meeting.
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Learn Where Your Garbage Goes
The City is offering free Waste to Energy public tours during spring break! Visitors will learn how garbage moves from the tipping floor to the claw, and then to the boiler. Explore where we burn trash at temperatures reaching 2,000 degrees and harness steam to generate enough electricity to power 13,000 homes!
Tours are:
- Monday, April 1, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Thursday, April 4, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Minors must accompanied by an adult and be 8 years or older. Small children and infants are not permitted. Reservation required.
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Vote for Riverfront Park as 2024's Best Riverwalk
Our very own Riverfront Park has been nominated for 'Best Riverwalk' in USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers' Choice! You can vote daily until the polls close on Monday, April 8, at 9 a.m. Cast your vote today!
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Become A Master Composter/Recycler
Jessica shares an update on week two of the Master Composter/Recycling course. Click here to read the blog and see photos from the compost demonstration. The blog will be updated weekly!
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Funds To Become Available For Affordable Housing
The City’s Community, Housing, and Human Services Department is providing advance notice that an estimated $3,495,200 in federal funds through the 2024 HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) for affordable housing development will be available to apply for from Monday, April 1 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 will be posted on the City website on Monday, April 1. Read the advance notice for more information.
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Survey Seeks Input On Emergency Shelters
An emergency shelter is a place for people to live temporarily when they cannot live in their previous residence. The City of Spokane seeks input from citizens throughout the region, agencies, and stakeholder groups on how you are affected and what services you would like to see offered. Information from a survey will be used to help inform future approaches to emergency shelters. The six-question survey closes Monday, April 1. Take the survey. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown organized several transition committees to help inform priorities in the first 100 days of the administration. One priority recommendation from the Improving Health and Housing Committee was the need for a robust understanding and strategic planning in our shelter system. A shelter audit of beds and capacity is also underway.
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Fair Housing Surveys, Session Avaliable
The City has contracted with Northwest Fair Housing Alliance to assist with the preparation of the 2024 Fair Housing Plan. The plan will be used to identify fair housing issues in Spokane and set goals to overcome barriers to fair housing. Information and public input sessions will be
- Tuesday, April 2, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St. Click here to attend virtually.
- Thursday, April 4, 12 to 1:30 p.m., The Hive, 2904 E. Sprague Ave. Click here to attend virtually.
Surveys are open through Sunday, April 7 for both housing consumers and their advocates as well as housing providers. Take a few minutes to complete a survey to provide input on your experience with fair housing in the City.
Contact Marley Hochendoner via email or phone if you have questions regarding the events, surveys, or the 2024 Fair Housing Plan.
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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.
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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!
Help Expo be a Low Waste Celebration
Spokane ZeroWaste is looking for Waste Ambassador volunteers throughout the Expo 50th Celebration events to assist the public in recycling, composting, and disposing waste. Training provided. Register to be a Waste Ambassador. For questions contact: info@spokanezerowaste.org.
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Spring Dreams: Numerica Skate Ribbon Opens Friday
Spring has arrived, signaling the return of the Numerica Skate Ribbon's skate and scooter rentals, Pedal Kart rentals, and the Spider Jump! Beginning this Friday, March 29, all attractions will resume regular operating hours. Click here for more information.
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On the Bright Side
In partnership with Spokane Public Library, Thrive International will develop at least 45 units of affordable housing on a 1.62-acre lot at 6980 N. Nevada Street, a vacant property that the Library has owned since the 1990s. In addition to housing, the development will feature public event and learning space operated by the Library as well as a playground, greenhouse, and a 24/7 Library kiosk. Learn more on the Library website.
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