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

Spokane to expand ‘parklet’ project this summer

Miles Bergsma arranges the seating on the “parklet” seating area installed in front of Wollnick’s, Durkin’s and Madeleine’s on Main Ave. in downtown Spokane Thursday, Aug. 3, 2015. Spokane Valley is considering allowing businesses to place parklets along Appleway Trail. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
From staff reports

Last year’s parklet has reproduced, after a Spokane City Council vote to extend and expand a pilot project for the parking-spot-sized public spaces.

Councilwoman Lori Kinnear, who sponsored the project extension that passed 5-1, called last year’s downtown parklet experiment in front of Wollnick’s on Main Avenue “wildly successful.”

Last year, the project lasted for 60 days. This summer, the project will be 120 days, and will include two parklets downtown. Kinnear anticipated more, saying businesses on West Garland Avenue and South Perry Street have shown interest.

“Sixty days really wasn’t enough to gather enough information on the downsides, the upsides to create code that was good and solid,” Kinnear said, noting that businesses, the Downtown Spokane Partnership and the city partnered to fund the project.

Last year’s parklet was something like a loading zone patio that invited passers by to lounge. “You can talk on your phone, eat your lunch, play your music. Whatever you want to do,” Kinnear said.