3 Northeast neighborhoods form coalition for planning

There’s a new planning coalition in Northeast Spokane: Bemiss, Hillyard and Whitman neighborhoods are joining forces to plan ahead for the next 30 years.

The neighborhoods have created the Greater Hillyard-Northeast Planning Alliance, because they “want to recognize their common challenges and opportunities as neighbors facing the same economic, social and historic conditions, so they can move into the future as a combined team strengthening their current partnerships,” said Luke Tolley, Hillyard Council chairman, in a written statement.

Whitman is represented by its neighborhood chair, Charleen Carr, and Bemiss by its neighborhood chair, J.J. Moody.

Together, Tolley, Carr and Moody will invite neighborhood stakeholders and businesses to form smaller work groups, which in turn will try to create a common 30-year vision.

“For years the eight northeast district neighborhoods operated in isolation from one another,” said John Bogensberger, president of the Greater Hillyard Business Association. “One result is the area’s economic stagnation. We see the best way to get the Northeast healthy again is by working together on a common vision.”

Moody said she hopes by joining together the neighborhoods will have a bigger voice when it comes to planning – she also hopes more residents will participate.

For more information and to be invited to meetings and gatherings, e-mail planning@ historic-hillyard.com or call 467-2241 to leave your contact information.