Open houses to address projects planned for Grand, Mission
The seventh year of Spokane’s street reconstruction program is kicking off this week with the first of two open houses on work planned for the year.
Residents living near Grand Boulevard south of 29th Avenue are invited to attend the informational drop-in session from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sacajawea Middle School, 401 E. 33rd Ave.
A second open house is planned for 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Stevens Elementary School, 1717 E. Sinto Ave., for a project on Mission Avenue in east Spokane.
In both meetings, Street Department officials want to share information with the public about the projects and listen to any concerns or suggestions.
The Mission Avenue project involves rebuilding the arterial from South Riverton Avenue to Greene Street and installing a new 30-inch water main from Hamilton to Greene streets this construction season.
The cost is estimated at $3.3 million, with work starting in April and extending into August in four phases. Detours will be required during the work.
On the South Side, the city plans to rebuild Grand from 29th to High Drive.
The work on Grand is planned in two phases, and workers will maintain access to businesses just south of 29th Avenue. The $1.4 million job is expected to start in early May on the portion from 29th to 37th avenues. Work should finish in August.
The two projects are among a half-dozen arterial reconstructions expected this year under a 2004 bond issue approved by voters.
Already the $117 million property tax bond issue has paid for reconstructions on Ash, Maple, Lincoln, Market and Washington streets and 29th Avenue, among others.
In addition to segments of Grand and Mission, the city is planning an overhaul of Post Street from Maxwell Avenue to just north of Buckeye Avenue.
Also on the North Side, work is expected on Wellesley Avenue west of Ash and on Bridgeport Avenue east of Division.
In the downtown area, work will continue on Second Avenue east of Howard Street.
The bond-issue work is expected to be wrapped up at the end of the 2013 construction season.
Parking deals
Early arrivers to River Park Square can get all-day parking for a reduced rate of $6. But you have to be there by 9 a.m. That’s $2 off the regular rate.
For even cheaper parking, check out the CityTicket program in which parking is $19 a month at the city’s Arena parking lot. The program includes the Spokane Transit Authority shuttle into downtown.
Pothole hot line
The city of Spokane is encouraging residents to report potholes at a special phone number – (509) 625-7733. Crews have been filling potholes as weather permits.
Corridor work
Work to install three southbound lanes of the North Spokane Corridor from Farwell Road to Francis Avenue has been continuing through the winter months, state officials said.
Mother’s Day tour
The Wallowa Union Railroad Authority will kick off its 2011 schedule for the Eagle Cap Excursion Train with a brunch tour on Mother’s Day, May 8.
The train departs Elgin, Ore., at 10 a.m. Prices are $80 for adults, $40 for youth and $70 for seniors.
The regular season begins June 25 and prices are $5 less than the brunch trip. Lunch is included.
The 3 1/2-hour excursion runs along the wild and scenic Grande Ronde River in northeast Oregon. Elgin is 130 miles southwest of Clarkston.
Reservations can be made through Alegre Travel at (800) 323-7330.