Most dislike two-way traffic for Sprague-Appleway

The idea of restoring two-way traffic on Spokane Valley’s Sprague-Appleway couplet remained unpopular in a second round of public testimony last week.

But last Thursday’s continuation of a Planning Commission hearing that began March 13 covered a broader range of issues than the first session. And there was a bit more support for restoring two-way traffic and for the plan in general.

Architect Rustin Hall called the proposed city center at what is now the University City Shopping Center “a bold move.”

“Having two racetracks through the downtown just doesn’t do it,” said Hall, who is chairman of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Angie Dirscherl liked the idea of encouraging pedestrian traffic.

“The city of Spokane Valley makes cars very happy, but not people,” she said. “We have no ability as pedestrians to enjoy what this city has to offer.”

Carpet store owner Dennis Runolfson said restoring two-way traffic on Sprague Avenue seemed a “no-brainer” to him. He said it would help businesses and have “minimal” effect on commuters.

“Why should we ignore the advice of the experts we hired?” Runolfson asked.

Creamery operator Dick Behm and dentist Philip Rudy urged planning commissioners to consider a study showing one-way traffic has hurt businesses and is opposed by most of them.

Rudy, who is chairman-elect of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the study may be viewed at the Spokane Valley Business Association Web site: www.svba.us.

Mostly, though, there was criticism: The plan would clog traffic, cost too much to implement and reduce property values by rezoning commercial land to residential.

Thursday’s meetings drew about 40 people, some of whom were among the 130 or so who turned out the week before.

Ann Ohler, who previously defended the existing one-way couplet, returned with concerns about down-zoning.

“Once you send that cow to slaughter, you can’t get her back even if the price of cream goes up,” Ohler warned.

Gene Hinkle and Laura Gusdorf introduced a call for a public vote.

“If you’re thinking about using public money, then for goodness sake, put this up for a vote and we’ll settle it once and for all,” Hinkle said.

Gusdorf said she had mixed emotions about the plan. She operates a small business in the University City North shopping area, so she wants motorists to be able to get to her shop easily – but she favors extending the Sprague-Appleway couplet, not reducing one-way traffic.

Gusdorf also worried about the cost of implementing the plan.

“Who’s going to pay for this?” she asked. “The way I see it, the well is sucking sand right now.”

Ron Roberts agreed: “We don’t need the planners to be writing checks that the citizens of Spokane Valley can’t cash.”

A few speakers questioned whether the University City Shopping Center is the best place for a city center.

After Margaret Harris called for extending the one-way couplet to Liberty Lake, Planning Commissioner John Carroll asked her where she thought the proposed city center should be built. Near the Spokane Valley Mall or on Sullivan Road, she replied.

Couplet supporter Dan Carpenter also thought the University City site was “a poor selection.”

James Pantaleo said he thought consultants made that selection with “one hand tied behind their back” by city officials.

Joan Christensen said she voted against a March 11 Spokane County Library District bond measure because it would have placed a new Spokane Valley Library at what is now University City.

Christensen said she used to operate a business in the center and found its management deficient. She said she is a library supporter, but “was under the impression” the library bond measure was necessary for the city center to be built at University City.

Land-use consultant Dwight Hume said he represented property owners who object to converting commercial land to residential use. He called for city officials to achieve the “mellow yellow” look they want with beautification efforts instead of down-zoning.

Property owner Bill Berry complained that his three commercial properties would be divided among four zones and all of his buildings would be “nonconforming” in their new zones.

He questioned why would anyone want to build a house on a thoroughfare like Appleway Boulevard even if commercial zoning were changed to residential.

City officials say the proposed restoration of two-way traffic on Sprague Avenue would be limited at first to the section between Dishman-Mica and University roads.

Still, commuters have lambasted Sprague Avenue car dealerships at several public hearings for the proposal to eliminate one-way traffic in the section between Interstate 90’s Sprague interchange and Dishman-Mica Road.

But Hallmark Hyundai’s Vic Pestrin said Spokane Valley’s “auto row” dealers don’t really care about restoring two-way traffic on Sprague.

“We’re kind of a destination resort,” Pestrin said. “People are going to come there one way or the other.”

In fact, correspondence from six auto dealers in February 2007 shows four of them – Appleway Automotive Group, Gus Johnson Ford, Dishman Dodge and Spokane Chrysler – opposed restoring two-way traffic.

Pestrin’s dealership and Jaremko Nissan-Saab supported the change.

Those letters and other correspondence about the revitalization plan may be viewed at: www.spokanevalley.org/sub.aspx?id=380.