City of Spokane, school district trade property
Parcel at Albi swapped for piece of land in Southgate
Spokane Public Schools and the city of Spokane have swapped parcels of land in a deal they say is mutually beneficial.
The school district acquired 20 acres owned by the city near Joe Albi Stadium in exchange for about 2 acres on the west side of Regal Street at the intersection of Palouse Highway.
Detailed plans for the land are still unclear.
If voters support the school district’s purchase of Joe Albi Stadium through an upcoming bond, the property there could become part of the complex’s renovations, said Superintendent Shelley Redinger. Otherwise the property could become the site of a new school.
The city plans to use the land on Regal for traffic improvements and other development needs.
This is not the first time the city and district have swapped land. The city, for example, exchanged park land to build Shadle Park High School for the property where Loma Vista Park is now.
Discussions about the Albi and Regal parcels began about a year ago, city officials said.
“The opportunity to work with Spokane Public Schools arose out of a discussion about how we use our assets to best serve our citizens,” said Spokane Mayor David Condon. “This agreement presents exciting possibilities to work with the Southgate Neighborhood to improve how people move through and utilize that area.”
City spokesman Brian Coddington added, “I think we have a good history of partnership of working with the district and identifying opportunities that are beneficial to both parties and beneficial to the communities we serve.”