Public workshop on university plan

Community planners have lofty hopes for the development of a university district in the area of the Gonzaga University and Riverpoint campuses along the Spokane River east of Division.

But the details of what that district will look like and how it will be a part of community life are yet to be worked out. Citizens have an opportunity this weekend to help complete in the picture.

A public workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the COG, 710 E. DeSmet, on the GU campus. Participants will be able to offer suggestions about the kind of development opportunities that would be suitable for the site and the specific locations.

Educational and economic-development opportunities, historic preservation, recreation, housing — all activities will be up for discussion.

Parking for the event will be available in the GU Administration Building parking lot, accessible from Sharp and Addison. A buffet lunch will be available for $8.59.

Meanwhile, walking tours of the district are available today at 10 a.m. and Saturday at 7:30 a.m. Parking for the tours is available behind the Globe building, 204 N. Division.

You just can’t be too kid-friendly. Population Connection, a Washington, D.C.-based organization, just recognized Spokane and Seattle as commendable places for kids. Seattle was first among 20 “major” cities and Spokane second among 80 “large” cities.

That favorable publicity isn’t stopping The Children’s Alliance from drafting an agenda of issues to present to the Washington Legislature in January. The statewide organization is asking citizens to fill out an online survey that will help establish priority concerns about kids and their well-being.

To participate, to www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey.zgi?p=U22GVDU3BU. Sorry for the complicated Web site address, but the survey itself takes only five to 10 minutes to complete.