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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 50 years ago

Spokane’s city planning commission in 1960 rejected plans for two proposed shopping centers on the South Hill.

The first was for a $7 million project called the Plaza Shopping Center at 29th Avenue and Perry Street. It would have included 16 stores in its initial phase.

The second was for the Manito Community Shopping Center, a $1.5 million shopping center on the grounds of the defunct Spokane College (later Spokane Junior College) just off 29th Avenue and Grand Boulevard.

The commission, in rejecting the zoning applications, said that the need for additional shopping facilities was “not of sufficient magnitude” to warrant creation of more business zones.

Both shopping centers had been opposed by many neighbors. A group called the Spokane Residential Property Owners Association said the commission’s decision was a “vindication of comprehensive zoning and planning.”

The Plaza Shopping Center never came into being. But the Manito project was later resurrected. It went through more zoning fights – and even a court fight – and in 1969 it opened as the Manito Shopping Center.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1974: President Gerald R. Ford granted an unconditional pardon to former President Richard Nixon.