City Approves Plans To Turn Two Lots Into Parks Participants Of Youth Summit Next Spring Expected To Develop The Hillyard Parks

Two undeveloped lots in the Hillyard neighborhood soon will be transformed into a pocket park for nearby residents.

On Monday, the City Council approved plans to buy the land on the northwest corner of Longfellow Avenue and Florida Street from Kelli and Scott Grabow. The property will be paid for with $24,000 in neighborhood community development money.

Teens taking part in next spring’s youth summit will help develop the park, said Councilman Jeff Colliton.

The summit - known as “Bridging the GAP: Generation for America’s Promise” - is an outgrowth of a national youth summit held in Philadelphia last April aimed at reaching at-risk children.

More than 1,000 adults and teens are expected to attend Spokane’s summit, which is planned for April 23, Colliton said.

Volunteers will spend the day cleaning the park and installing playground equipment, Colliton said. “At the close of the day, that park should be fully operational.”

Parks Director Ange Taylor said Hillyard residents have been hoping to build a pocket park on the vacant ground for years. Currently, neighborhood children must cross two busy streets to reach the closest park.

Also Monday, the council:

Set a hearing Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. on final property tax assessments to pay for paving the alley between Howard and Stevens streets from Queen to Everett avenues.

Set a hearing Nov. 18 at 2:30 p.m. on final assessments to pay for paving the alley between Wall and Howard streets, from Queen to Everett avenues.

Accepted $385,922 from the state Department of Transportation to design improvements to Euclid Avenue from Haven to Sycamore streets, including improving the intersection at Freya Street.

, DataTimes