Browne’s Addition named one of nation’s 10 greatest

Browne’s Addition, the oldest residential neighborhood in Spokane, is being recognized as one of 10 great neighborhoods in the United States for 2009 by a prestigious planning organization. The award will be given at a meeting Wednesday of the Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council at 7:30 p.m. in the Gilkey Room of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. Browne’s Addition was named because of its history, architecture, geographic setting, planning elements and functionality as a place to live. The neighborhood’s range of housing prices was also a consideration, according to Paul Farmer, APA’s chief executive. Mayor Mary Verner is scheduled to present the award at the regularly scheduled meeting of the council. The American Planning Association annually selects 10 neighborhoods for recognition in its Great Places in America program. Browne’s Addition was designated a national historic district in 1976, and many of its historic homes have been placed separately on the Spokane Register of Historic Places. Originally platted by homestead pioneer J.J. Browne, the neighborhood to the west of downtown has 239 historic buildings, many of which are stately mansions that have been preserved by private owners. A neighborhood design plan was implemented using federal community development funds in the early 1980s, and that led to installation of period street lamps, signs, bus shelters, traffic circle with planter and improvements to Coeur d’Alene Park. The park has a replica gazebo that came from those efforts. The neighborhood is the site of a number of public events, including ArtFest, ElkFest and summer concerts. “Browne’s Addition is a great historical neighborhood that’s rich in culture and bursting with community activity,” Verner said in a press release.