Return Of Parking Meters Urged Manito/Cannon Hill Neighborhood Also On Council’s Agenda Tonight

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. xxxx
1. OTHER BUSINESS: Discussing plans for City Hall Link, a computer interactive information system designed by two Spokane residents to help citizens gain access to city information. Setting a hearing for June 12 on the vacation of Post Street and an alley between Spokane Falls Boulevard and Main Avenue. Setting a hearing for May 22 on the downtown parking and business improvement district.

2. MEETING City Council will meet at 6 p.m. today at City Hall.