Parks Department, Developer Won’T Be Swapping Properties Development Time Remains Uncertain For Sports Complex

The Spokane Parks Department will not swap land with a local developer to build the Northpointe Sports Complex.

Developer Lanzce Douglass and the Parks Department were considering trading properties.

The proposed 34-acre Northpointe site currently sits just east of the Division Y. Douglass owns land at Crestline and Magnesium that the city won’t let him develop for apartment complexes.

The city had considered trading the land because some residents who live near Northpointe are opposed to the construction of a softball park at the complex.

A public meeting was held in April regarding a potential trade.

A number of residents who opposed the sports complex were even less thrilled with the prospect of possibly having apartment complexes in their neighborhood.

And those who like the idea of a sports complex didn’t want the site to be moved from their neighborhood.

“There was no clear direction from the public (about the land swap),” said Parks Department director Ange Taylor. “The recommendation is that we not go to voters for a land swap.”

But despite the Parks Department’s decision to keep the land at Holland Avenue and Colton Road, the 34-acre dirt slab won’t be developed anytime soon.

The department planned to go before the Spokane City Council on Monday to ask for permission to submit a grant application to the Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation to develop the land.

However, in recent months, park officials have struggled to find potential investors to run the complex.

The interagency committee more than likely wouldn’t issue a grant for a project with marginal interest.

So the parks department never put the issue before the council.

“We don’t have the money to develop the complex,” Taylor said. “It’s going to have to be developed by someone else. We’re trying to find sources of money.”

Taylor wouldn’t reveal who the Parks Department has contacted about possible development.

Northpointe opponents say the park will bring too much traffic, noise and light to their neighborhoods.

Residents are also concerned about the potential sale of alcoholic beverages. Profits would go to payment of the park.

According to a study by a Portland-based planner, the complex could produce $80,000 profit a year.

But that figure is based in part on beer and wine sales averaging $100,000 yearly.

Meanwhile, supporters have their hearts set on the three-acre park that’s supposed to come with five lighted softball fields, a skateboard park, basketball courts and more.

The city has already spent $500,000 on Northpointe for studies and land grading.