Trolley Buses Run Today Downtown Projects Plagued By Delays

After a contentious debate and unexpected delays, trolley-replica buses will begin shuttling riders between the Coliseum parking lot and downtown Spokane today.

The City Council approved the project in January 1994. Since then, the diesel-powered streetcars and the related Wall Street renovation project have faced construction delays and public controversy.

The latest complaint involves oil stains on the new brickwork on Wall Street, which will be part of the trolley route later this spring.

The project is designed to stimulate the downtown shopping district.

“For many people, shopping downtown has to be a fun environment, and we hope the trolley contributes to that environment,” said Patrick Jones, president of the Crescent Court Merchants Association and manager of Spokane Pendleton and Harvey’s.

But some merchants are more skeptical.

“Downtown needs retail development, not just a trolley,” said Patti Pettigrew, owner of Fit & Hollywood, 131 Parkade Plaza. Merchants who crave pedestrians and walk-in traffic would like downtown to secure a core of popular anchors, she said.

The trolleys, which cost $182,000 each, are buses dressed in green paint, oak trim and benches. “Spokane Falls Streetcar Company” is emblazoned in gold letters on the sides.

Rides are free for a month. After that they’ll cost 25 cents per ride.

The trolleys are equipped with lift boards for riders with wheelchairs. Each of the three vehicles was built in Arkansas, said Teresa Stueckle, Spokane Transit Authority customer relations manager.

Stueckle said the buses are considered “clean diesel technology and won’t puff black smoke.”

The trolleys will run the same route as STA’s No. 27 Coliseum Shuttle, which carries people from a free parking lot at the Coliseum to six downtown stops along Main, Washington, Mallon and Lincoln.

In May, when Wall Street construction is expected to be complete, the route will change to take the trolleys down Wall and Spokane Falls Boulevard.

“We hope the trolley will provide more atmosphere than a diesel bus,” Jones said.

The improvements to Wall - including a brick street, old-fashioned street lights, decorative planters and tiled sidewalks - also are aimed at rejuvenating downtown.

The decorative work is designed to encourage pedestrian traffic on Wall between Riverside and Spokane Falls Boulevard.

But some business owners and at least one city official complain the bricks are being spoiled by oil stains from cars and trucks.

“Oil deposits are destroying them,” said Mayor Jack Geraghty during a recent briefing session.

Business owners are pitching in about $650,000 to help pay for the $1.8 million street project. The balance comes from state and federal taxpayer money.

Some owners successfully lobbied to keep the section of Wall between Spokane Falls and Main open to vehicle traffic so customers could be dropped off and deliveries made.

The section between Main and Riverside will be open only for deliveries.

“Parking is enough of a problem without limiting drop-offs,” said Gary Sutter, manager of the Olive Garden.

Larry Soehren, of Kiemle & Hagood, a backer of the project, said the stains disappoint many business owners.

“We all had this pristine image of a pedestrian area,” he said. “The reality is, it’s a street and it will have big things on it.

“My dream is, that over time, they’ll turn it all into pedestrian.”

City Engineer Brad Blegen said high-pressure water hoses should be used periodically to remove the oil stains.