Kristina Johnson

The city of Spokane learned Thursday it was one of 64 cities nationwide to receive federal money aimed at creating jobs in its urban core. Spokane will get $1 million in economic development money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That's less than a third of the city's original request. "It's good news, but it's not as much as we asked for," said City Manager Roger Crum.

Leveling conflict-of-interest charges against Mayor Jack Geraghty, Spokane city Councilman Chris Anderson refused to vote on a downtown redevelopment project because of what he calls a "tainted process." Late Monday, Anderson's colleagues approved plans, 5-0, for an $80 million project that will use both private and public money to nearly double the size of River Park Square.

Supporters hail it as a way to save downtown Spokane. Detractors call it a financial risk for taxpayers. The City Council's decision Monday to go after a $23.8 million federal loan to build a larger Nordstrom store drew criticism from residents who distrust the way Spokane government spends money.

One of the largest redevelopment projects to hit downtown Spokane in nearly 20 years won City Council approval Monday. The council voted 5-0 to go after a $23.8 million federal loan that puts River Park Square on the road to nearly doubling in size. Using both public and private money, the shopping mall's owners plan to build a larger Nordstrom, a pedestrian mall and a glass-enclosed Post Street atrium.

Finding out the kinds of services Spokane residents want from the city comes with a $46,500 price tag. That's the cost of the contract the City Council approved Monday for a consulting firm to work with a group of residents toward that goal. "We need to know what services we should be delivering, at what level and how they should be delivered," said Councilwoman Phyllis Holmes, who described the contract as a key element to streamlining City Hall - one of the council's five goals for 1995.

An $80 million redevelopment project planned for downtown Spokane will come before the City Council tonight for approval. The River Park Square expansion project proposes combining public and private money to build a larger Nordstrom store, a pedestrian mall and a glass-enclosed Post Street atrium.

Spokane has no choice but to make room for granny. A state board ruled Tuesday the city must let homeowners build small apartments - commonly known as granny flats - in single-family neighborhoods.

In an effort to lasso what he calls "reckless government," attorney Steve Eugster on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the city of Spokane that aims to block a downtown improvement district. "The issue is this - the city is out of control. End of story," Eugster said. "I'm not going to say anymore."

Downtown Spokane - saved from the "doughnut of decay." From one resident's perspective, that's what the City Council did Monday when it unanimously approved a taxing district hailed as a way to revitalize downtown. Cities die when they resemble doughnuts - "empty in the middle," with shopping centers moved to the outside, said Bob Dellwo, a former city councilman, who urged the council not to let downtown Spokane die.

The Spokane City Council will consider revamping the way it does its business at a meeting tonight. A proposal would allow more time for public and council review of weekly agenda items and would turn Mondays into a daylong marathon of meetings.

Assessor Charlene Cooney says that revaluing properties is a "huge task" made worse by "bad luck." Photo by Craig Buck/The Spokesman-Review

A proposed taxing plan hailed as a way to revitalize downtown got a second hearing before the Spokane City Council on Tuesday.

A proposed tax plan hailed by proponents as a surefire way to spruce up downtown Spokane will get a second hearing tonight before the City Council. Similar to taxing districts used to build sewers or pave roads, the proposed Parking and Business Improvement Area would raise $675,000 by taxing downtown businesses, organizations, buildings and properties. The money is slated for improvements to make downtown Spokane safer and more attractive, convenient and accessible.

Surrounded by flags, flowers and friends, Spokane paused Monday to remember those who have given their lives for their country. Nearly 300 people gathered for a Memorial Day ceremony at Fairmount Memorial Park, where speakers talked of the importance of the national holiday honoring U.S. war dead. "Help us never to forget that they died in war so that we might live in peace," said Lt. Daniel A. Shepard, a chaplain in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

A four-acre fire gobbled up state lands near Kellogg, late Sunday night, dancing along the north ridge that overlooks the town, Shoshone County Fire Department officials said. The fire started near Vergobbi Gulch and moved west toward Kellogg High School and Jacob's Gulch, officials said.

Like a cat, Spokane pounced on a glorious Sunday afternoon and frolicked in the sun. But it was people and dogs having most of the fun. The cloudless day that marked Memorial Day weekend's midway point found parks across the city overflowing with young lovers, new mothers, middle-aged fishermen and scantily clad sun worshipers.

The state Department of Revenue is offering to help pay an expert to pinpoint what's wrong in Spokane County Assessor Charlene Cooney's office. That's the second time in five days that an outside agency has offered management oversight to the troubled assessor's office.

The meter may be running out for free parking in downtown Spokane. City Council members heard Monday about a proposal to bring back 300 parking meters that were taken out three years ago. The city had hoped removing the meters would boost downtown shopping, but problems have developed, Assistant City Manager Bill Pupo told the council.

A proposal to bring parking meters back to downtown Spokane will debut before the City Council tonight. Three years ago, the city removed about 300 meters, hoping to attract shoppers. Instead, downtown workers are gobbling up the spots before others get a chance, city staffers say. City Manager Roger Crum plans to present the proposal during his weekly report. No public testimony will be taken, but a hearing on the issue will be held at a later date. Bringing parking meters back is part of a larger proposal planned by business owners to revitalize downtown. Council members also will hold a hearing on the Manito/Cannon Hill Specific Plan. The council voted a year ago to limit construction in some parts of the historic neighborhood to duplexes and singlefamily homes. But it never passed the ordinances necessary to put the plan into effect. The neighborhood includes the area west of Monroe Street and south of 14th Avenue. Council members will exclude from the plan the area bounded by Cedar Street, Seventh and 14th avenues, where they recently passed a moratorium on multi-family development.

(From For the Record, Wednesday, May 10, 1995): Bob Lipe wants to build a teen center at 2108 W. Boone. The address was wrong in a story in Tuesday's newspaper.

Runners cheer Dutch Conner as he goes up Doomsday Hill backward. Photo by Molly O'Hara/The Spokesman-Review

Last-minute changes to commercial property values in Spokane County are leaving the city, county and schools with a lot less money to spend than expected. During the two days before the deadline for paying property taxes, Assessor Charlene Cooney dropped the values of five large commercial properties by more than $41 million - instantly erasing $621,039 in revenues for taxing districts.

Bob Lipe sees his Teen Town dream as a way to keep kids out of trouble. His neighbors and the city's hearing examiner see it as a magnet for problems. The Spokane City Council gets to decide who's right.

Joel Crosby, Spokane city councilman