Nicholas Deshais

Johns and pimps on Spokane’s East Sprague Avenue now face more than jail time if cops catch them in the act – their cars will be impounded. This week, the Spokane City Council unanimously approved new authority for police to seize the vehicle of someone arrested for patronizing a prostitute or promoting prostitution. On top of costs associated with impoundment, towing and storing the vehicle, violators could be fined $500, according to state law.

With $500 million of public works projects scheduled during the next five years, Spokane Mayor David Condon has a plan to create a qualified local workforce to help in construction. Condon announced Monday his idea to convene a group to discuss how best to train workers for construction careers, which he said will help raise Spokane’s depressed median income to national standards. The group will consist of veterans, people with disabilities, women, minorities, people with criminal records and young people, as well as contractors and union and business representatives, according to the mayor’s spokesman, Brian Coddington.

After numerous, ultimately unsuccessful attempts to quiet the packed Spokane City Council chambers, Council President Ben Stuckart gaveled the meeting to an early close and stormed from the chambers Monday night. Most in the crowd of more than 100 people were there to speak in favor of repealing a city law that says police will not ask people about their immigration status. A few spoke in support of the city policy, which was put forward by Stuckart and adopted last year by the City Council.

Tonight’s Spokane City Council meeting erupted in chaos as local immigration rules prompted fiery arguments and led Council President Ben Stuckart to leave the chambers. Another councilman had police remove a citizen.

East Sprague Avenue’s reputation as Spokane’s seedy red-light district could change, if the City Council approves a new law allowing police to impound vehicles used for activities related to prostitution. The expanded authority is specific to the area surrounding East Sprague, which has many more prostitution-related calls and incidents than any other part of the city. Officers will be allowed to seize the vehicle of someone arrested for patronizing a prostitute or promoting prostitution. On top of costs associated with impoundment, towing and storing the vehicle, according to state law, violators could be fined $500 – or $2,500 if the prostitute is a minor.

The idea to focus public investment dollars on the diminished stretch of East Sprague Avenue in Spokane has been around City Hall for a year and half, but it took a big step forward last month as the city won grant money for “smart growth” training and was shortlisted for state money focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety. Spokane was just one of 14 communities nationwide to be given a grant from Smart Growth America, which advocates for city planning to consider environmental, farmland and historic preservation, among other issues. The grant is funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities, and will provide technical assistance focus on “transit-oriented development, integrated street projects, smart growth policies, economic development and fiscal health, parking management and regional planning,” Mayor David Condon said.