A plan to improve downtown sidewalks has been selected for funding by the Spokane Regional Transportation Council through a grant that targets pedestrian improvements.

The Downtown Spokane Core project designs and builds pedestrian repairs and improvements. These are intended to reduce barriers for disabled persons and encourage walking by making the walking environment safer, more comfortable and enjoyable. These needed changes to the downtown pedestrian environment were first identified in the Downtown Plan update.

Downtown sidewalks were prioritized for replacement because of their overall condition, their proximity to other planned improvements and pedestrian heavy areas such as the entertainment district and the STA plaza. Sidewalks on Howard were also prioritized because it is a designated major pedestrian corridor. The project will also include new street trees, replacement of damaged street tree grates, installation of bike racks, planters and garbage cans, minor sidewalk repairs and other pedestrian improvements throughout the entire Downtown Core.

With the creation of the unified Parking Fund in July of 2013, the City of Spokane now has an ongoing mechanism to fund these types of grant applications for the downtown pedestrian environment.

The total project cost is $1,335,600

The funding comes from four parties:

CMAQ $1,112,390
Parking Fund $100,000
Arterial Street Fund $73,610
Downtown Spokane Partnership $49,600

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