City Has Money To Pave Streets In Targeted Areas

For North Side residents still living on unpaved streets, there’s a deal waiting for you.

The city of Spokane has some $500,000 to spend on street paving in 1996. That’s more than double the usual amount, and enables the city to initiate road paving in priority areas and offer residents at least a 33 percent reduction from the typical cost of about $5,000.

North Side areas targeted for paving include Madison from Garland to Kiernan; Carlisle from Cincinnati to Hamilton; Altamont from Mission to Sinto; and Sharp from Cedar to Jefferson.

Residents in these neighborhoods still have to vote on the road projects and the city will be approaching them this spring, according to Dave Mandyke, city construction services manager.

Low-income residents would receive further cost breaks, with some qualifying for a 100 percent grant, said Mandyke.

“It’s probably one of the better deals we’ve had for paving in a long time,” Mandyke said.

The additional money is coming from the septic-tank removal program, which is being put on hold.

Mandyke said there are 518 homes inside the city limits still on septic tanks and new Health Department regulations don’t mandate that owners connect to a sewer line until their system fails. “There’s nothing worse than having your sewer back up in your basement to get you to connect,” he said.

Hillyard spaghetti feed

The Greater Hillyard Business Association will be raising money for the neighborhood’s public mural project with a spaghetti dinner. The event is set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Northeast Community Center.

The dinner will cost $4.50 for adults, and $4 for children (under 12) and seniors. The “Hillyard Belles” trainmen and show band will perform.

The menu is spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, spumoni ice cream, coffee, tea and milk.

Proceeds from the dinner will go to the ongoing effort to bring public art to Hillyard.

Another COPS shop

The city hearing examiner will consider plans for a police substation at Shannon and Wall that will serve the Emerson-Garfield neighborhood.

Resident Dave Gunstrom is heading up the community policing effort in the neighborhood. Gunstrom said the COPS shop would use only a portion of the 7,300-square foot building, which has two addresses, 630 W. Shannon and 2004 N. Wall St.

But there is no off-street parking at the site, as is required by the building code. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 732 W. Indiana is offering six spaces for volunteers and visitors.

Gunstrom said he’s talked with adjacent property owners who are eager to see the substation. He encourages anyone with concerns, pro or con, to attend the hearing.

“I want to see the neighborhood involved in this,” he said. “at least if they come out we’ll see what we have to work with.”

The hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

, DataTimes