Council Buys Land Next To Proposed Maintenance Site

The Spokane City Council on Monday bought two Logan area residences next to the proposed site of the combined maintenance center.

City Council members approved a plan for taxpayers to spend $65,000 for 2731 N. Perry and $80,000 for 2807 N. Perry.

During a briefing last week, Phil Williams, the city’s director of planning and engineering services, assured the council that buying the land didn’t mean the maintenance center had to go there.

“It’s a kind of neighborly thing to do,” said Williams, noting the city’s Solid Waste and Water departments are headquartered nearby.

The city owns all but a few lots between Perry and Hamilton streets, and Marietta Avenue and North Foothills Road, Williams said. “It adds to our real estate holdings and makes the aggregate much more valuable.”

City cars and trucks currently are serviced and stored at several locations around Spokane. Officials want to consolidate the activities to one site.

Logan residents have complained the proposal threatens their air quality and traffic, already a problem in the area.

The council hasn’t committed to building the center at Perry and N. Foothills, although Williams and other city employees strongly support the plan.

In other North Side business, the council:

Set a hearing before the hearing examiner at 1:30 p.m. on April 22 to levy property tax assessments for paving and adding curbs and sidewalks to Altamont Street from Sinto to Mission avenues.

Set a hearing before the hearing examiner at 2:30 p.m. on April 22 to create a local improvement district to pave and add curbs and sidewalks to Cleveland Avenue from Haven to Greene streets.

Set a hearing before the hearing examiner at 3:30 p.m. on April 22 to create a local improvement district to pave and add curbs and sidewalks to Fairview Avenue from Hillyard to Greene streets.

, DataTimes