Spokane to expand ‘parklet’ project this summer
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.