Kathy Mulady

North Indian Trail residents were scratching their heads last week after reading road signs advising them to take an alternate route during a planned construction project. "What alternate route?" they wondered. The sign was wrong, said city officials. Traffic on the south half of Indian Trail Road will be reduced to one lane each direction through April while water pipes are laid.

The deadline for nominating properties for preservation with conservation futures funds has been extended until April 9. "The committee wanted to provide citizens with the best opportunity to nominate the crown jewels of the county," said Steve Horobiowski, a planner with the Spokane County Parks and Recreation Department. A series of meetings is planned to introduce nominated properties. Meetings will start with discussion on properties in the immediate area. The properties nominated on the South Side include 60 acres at 57th and Regal. "Most of the land in the prairie has been developed. There is a rallying cry to save some of the farming heritage," said county Parks Director Wyn Birkenthal. "It's very picturesque." The nominations also include 160 sloping acres on Browne Mountain. The land is owned by the state Department of Natural Resources. "It has as good a view as you can find," said Birkenthal. Most of the properties already nominated on the South Side of the city are adjacent to Qualchan Golf Course, including the 24-acre Black property and 14-acre Lackman property. More than 80 acres on Thorpe Road have been nominated, as well as eight acres in Lincoln Heights and several acres in Albion Heights. About 70 properties in the city and county have been nominated. Birkenthal said he expects a dozen more will be submitted before the deadline. More than 70 residents attended a meeting March 18 at the Spokane Main Library to nominate properties within the city limits. Properties nominated so far in the county range from 18 acres to 3,500 acres. The city nominations ranged from 80 acres to one acre. Spokane County residents may nominate property they think should be preserved for its value as wildlife habitat, open space, shoreline area, or for hiking and nature study. Slides, maps, the name and address of the property owner and details about the property are required for nomination. Nominated properties will be reviewed and rated by a citizens committee made up of city and county residents. The conservation futures tax was extended by voters last fall. There is currently $2.5 million in bank. The county expects to collect just under a $1 million annually during the next five years for a total of $7.5 million. Lands that will be rated highest include those with wildlife habitat, that are threatened by development or logging, provide a link to other open space, provide water access and have widespread citizen support. It also helps if the owner of the property is willing to sell. The property must be presented at one of the scheduled public meetings. Tours of the highest-rated properties will be scheduled May 31, June 5 and June 13. On June 24, the citizens committee will develop a prioritized recommendation list. The panel will present it to County Parks Advisory Committee June 25. For more information, call Steve Horobiowski at 456-4730.

Negotiations have stalled on Scott Brett's bid to buy 51 acres on Five Mile Prairie from developer Barry Margolese. "Scott Brett didn't come to the table yesterday," Margolese said Wednesday. "No money showed up and there was no extension agreement. Essentially, the deal is canceled."

Several North Side neighborhoods are opposing the city of Spokane's proposed street tree ordinance, saying the plan needs more time and more discussion. The Assembly of Neighborhood Councils hasn't officially taken a stand for or against the ordinance. The chairman for the assembly said they haven't had enough time to study the document, take it back to their neighborhoods and return for a second meeting. The latest draft of the ordinance was dated March 6. The park board met and approved the ordinance March 12. The neighborhood assembly won't meet again until April 14. But the ordinance is expected to come before City Council for adoption in April.

The deadline for nominating properties for protection with conservation futures funds has been extended until April 9. "The committee wanted to provide citizens with the best opportunity to nominate the crown jewels of the county," said Steve Horobiowski, a planner with the Spokane County Parks and Recreation Department.

Balboa-area residents, joined by neighbor Mayor John Talbott, agreed unanimously Thursday to officially join the growing number of neighborhood councils. "The future of neighborhoods is good," Talbott told the group. The Balboa neighborhood takes its name from an elementary school in the area. Its boundaries are roughly from the edge of the North Indian Trail neighborhood, along the east side of Indian Trail Road to Francis Avenue and east to Ash Street.

1. Dennis Eng, left, took over the Cathay Inn from his father Eddie, right, who took over from his father, Tom. Last week, the Engs broke ground for a new restaurant. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Construction is underway at the site of the new Cathay Inn. The current building can be seen in the background and will be demolished after the new restaurant is complete in late summer. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review 3. 1950's photo of the original restaurant. The Statue of Liberty was placed on top by the original owner. Photo courtesy of Eng family 4. Eddie Eng, owner of the Cathay Inn, is shown in this 1950s photo. Photo courtesy of Eng family

Several ideas for easing traffic and improving air quality along the busy Hamilton Street corridor were presented to Logan-area residents Tuesday. The study, compiled by the Spokane Regional Transportation Council, was requested by the city of Spokane in anticipation of a number of projects planned in the area. "The city wanted us to take a look at this from a holistic point of view instead of one project at a time," said Glenn Miles, SRTC transportation manager.

A special permit for a controversial drug treatment facility was approved, with conditions, this week by city hearing examiner Greg Smith. The rehabilitation center owners plan to remodel and move into the former Regency Care Center at 44 E. Cozza on the North Side. The treatment center, run by American Behavioral Health Systems, has operated at Garland Avenue and G Street for many years. Neighbors at the hearing last week were concerned about the safety of their children, property values and increased traffic.

The deadline for nominating properties for protection with conservation futures funds has been extended until April 9.

Nevada-Lidgerwood neighbors were anxious to talk about their past successes and future dreams during a recent neighborhood council forum with city managers. "We're here to better improve our partnership" said city manager Bill Pupo. But they also wanted to express their concerns, mostly about traffic. Complaints ranged from semitrucks parking on neighborhood streets to speeders racing through the community to avoid crowded arterials. Drivers tearing through red lights on Division Street are also a concern. City staff said traffic complaints are a frequently-heard concern in most neighborhoods and offered to find solutions. They also suggested the traffic issue might be one for the city's new neighborhood assembly to address. Nevada-Lidgerwood chairman Al French read a long list of recent neighborhood accomplishments and projects including their nearlyfinished COPS shop and the Hands On Model Environment (HOME) day-care project which cares for toddlers and instructs day-care providers. French and Linda Crabtree, from Holy Family Hospital, have been invited to join a panel in Seattle on healthy communities, to talk about the HOME project. The North Spokane neighborhood is also working with Lilac Plaza Retirement Home. The home is buying computers that neighborhood volunteers will help train them to use. In exchange for the training, the Lilac residents have offered to maintain the Nevada-Lidgerwood neighborhood database. Other projects include a planned community garden with Holy Family Hospital and continued work on a proposal to relocate the NorthPointe Sports Complex. The neighborhood's wish-list is also long. It includes a library, a pedestrian overpass across Division Street and a community center. "This isn't a neighborhood that sits around and talks," noted Pupo. "We'll take this to staff and try to find solutions." Pupo also mentioned that in the future, staff will take budget plans out to the neighborhoods. "So we can have a dialogue about how we spend our resources," he said. "Our goal should be to leave our community a better place for our young people than it was left for us," said Pupo. "We want to start finding solutions and partnerships."

Spokane's City Council agreed Monday to accept $37,537 from the state to improve Indian Trail Road. All the funding is now in place to begin widening Indian Trail Road to three lanes between Kathleen and Barnes Road. The plan includes a grassy median with open areas for turns. There will also be curbs and sidewalks.

Developers of Pinewater Plaza are appealing a decision denying a zone change along the Newport Highway that would allow them to build a shopping center anchored by Wal-Mart. Hearing Examiner Mike Dempsey denied the request Feb. 13, noting the rezone is not consistent with the comprehensive plan. Neighbors, hoping to keep the large retail center out of their neighborhood, cheered the decision.

Judy Patterson, left, and Judy Wilkes warned county officials 25 years ago about potential problems with developement of Five Mile Prairie. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Last summer, Logan neighborhood residents voiced concerns about traffic on busy Hamilton Street and offered ideas. Now, Spokane Regional Transportation Council officials are returning to the neighborhood with proposals for improving transportation, walkability, intersections and air quality along the corridor.

They love their land so deeply they want to see it protected for eternity. So they turn to the Inland Northwest Land Trust.

WSU interior design students Traci Baughman and Marcella Pierro sketch the Spokane Marketplace building on West First. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

How will the Spokane of the future look? For two years, Spokane Horizons volunteers have worked to create goals and policies for the city's new comprehensive plan. Now the city is asking for public comment on two growth strategies. Should the city continue growing outward, or should future growth be more focused?

How will the Spokane of the future look? For two years, Spokane Horizons volunteers have worked creating goals and policies for the city's new comprehensive plan. Now the city is asking for public comment on two growth strategies. Should the city continue growing outward, or should future growth be more focused? Public meetings are scheduled throughout the city this month. Each will last just one hour. City planners will be available to answer questions.

1. Sanya Wright holds out her arm to share the scent of her mother's perfume with Mary Kordosky and another girl at Indian Trails. Sanya's mother had left the day before after a visit from her home in New Jersey. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review 2. Mary Kordosky, 13, cleans windows at the entrance to Indian Trails, a foster home for girls. Residents work hard to see the other side of the doors for the last time. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review 3. Far right, Elissa Fairchild, 15, and Sanya Wright, 17, strike a bargain over household chores while Auntie Marge Paxton waits patiently. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review 4. Right, Wright fights a Saturday morning wake up but gets encouragement from Fairchild and Tina Buckely, 12. Girls are not allowed to enter others' rooms. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review 5. Fairchild's beauty regime includes french braids, with help from her fellow Indian Trails residents, and a mud mask. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review 6. Far left, Wright chats with her boyfriend before dinner. Dates are screened and chaparoned. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review 7. Left, The girls comfort Auntie Marge after she tells them that the house dog, "Lady Bug," died during the night. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Reference Librarian Dennis Bergstom and Children's Librarian Jill Young put brand new books on the shelves at the Indian Trail Library. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Five Mile Prairie Five Mile Prairie residents will hear updates on proposed developments including Falcon Ridge, Shawnee Canyon and Summerhill during their first annual meeting, 6:30 tonight at the Grange. Neighbors will be offered a chance to nominate properties that could be purchased with money from the conservation futures tax. There will also be an update on Spokane Horizons, the city's public participation process for creating the new comprehensive plan. New officers will be elected.

Blanche Kangas directs a bell choir practice in the Sacred Heart Parish fellowship hall. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

County Commissioner Phil Harris, who has frequently clashed with Friends of the Little Spokane River over land-use decisions, met recently with the neighborhood on a friendlier note. Harris was one in a series of county commissioners invited to speak to the group. While land use was a key point in his discussion, Harris also talked briefly about the general health of the county ("It's better than most in Washington"), Martin Hall, the new, get-tough juvenile detention center, and the future of Spokane's children.