Neighbors Meet City To Address Concerns
An estimated 400 cars and trucks are expected to arrive at and depart the city’s proposed fleet maintenance complex in the Garry Park neighborhood each morning, around the same time students are on their way to school.
Neighbors voiced concerns about the traffic and potential danger to school-children during a community meeting with city officials Tuesday.
But they also offered suggestions and solutions that could help the facility fit into the neighborhood better.
The purpose of the meeting was to draw a list of potential environmental concerns the city can address in its studies while developing plans for the facility.
The list includes traffic and noise, especially at Napa, Boone, Desmet and Stone streets and Trent Avenue. Air and water quality, rodents and damage to neighborhood roads from constant heavy truck traffic are other critical issues.
“The city is trying to work with the neighborhood to create a model of how these things can be done right,” said Jim Kolva, an land use consultant who is preparing the environmental study for the project.
Despite concerns that the complex is “too big” for the neighborhood, questions about funding and fears that some property values will decline, the atmosphere at the meeting was mostly positive. Neighbors offered ideas to soften noise and traffic impacts.
One neighbor suggested the city install overhead crossings at critical intersections to let students to safely cross congested intersections.
About 400 cars and trucks are expected to go in and out of the complex from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Several city departments are expected to be consolidated at the operations complex including fleet services, park maintenances and transportation, which involves street maintenance and traffic engineering, construction services, solid waste management, water and hydroelectric services.
About 635 employees are expected to arrive at and depart the proposed facility, located at the former Long Lake Lumber Site, each working day. Most will arrive before 6:30 a.m., and leave between 2:30 and 4 p.m.
In addition, 165 large vehicles, including garbage trucks, snow plows in the winter and street repair equipment will roll out of the facility between 5 and 8:30 a.m. on a typical morning.
But supporter Jim Santorsola and others ask, “What if the city doesn’t move to the site?”
He said homes, apartments or other industry could bring similar issues, with less control from the neighborhood.
City engineer Dick Raymond told the audience having the city as a potential neighbor has its benefits.
“This is your chance to control your destiny and have a voice in what happens there,” he said.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Garry Park The Garry Park Neighborhood Council is expected to be officially recognized by the Spokane City Council Monday. The Garry Park Participation Committee meets at 7 p.m. on Jan. 7 at Stevens School, 1717 E. Sinto to discuss the city’s maintenance complex project.