Comments On Beltway Sought

Thu., Nov. 26, 1998

By Kristina Johnson kristinaj@spokesman.com

From breakfast meetings to evening open houses, Web sites to television, Spokane County officials are planning several opportunities for the public to comment on a proposed transportation loop around the metropolitan area.

Known as the urban connector system, the plan would widen roads and link them to new ones. While not a true high-speed beltway, the roads eventually would form a loop around the county.

In today’s newspaper, readers will find a questionnaire on the proposal that can be dropped off at any Rosauers supermarket or mailed to the county Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway, said Chad Hutson, spokesman for the proposal.

The first two breakfast forums take place Dec. 1 and 3 at 7:30 a.m. in the Public Works Building. Breakfast forums also are scheduled Dec. 8 and 10 at the same time and place.

Three evening open houses are planned, all beginning at 6 p.m. The first takes place Dec. 8 in the west cafeteria of Mead High School, 302 W. Hastings Road. The second is Dec. 9 in the cafeteria of Ferris High School, 3020 E. 37th Avenue. The third takes place Dec. 10 in the cafeteria of University High School, 10212 E. 9th Avenue.

Residents also can log onto the county’s Web site to view the proposed maps and comment on the plan. The site is www.spokanecounty.org/engineer/connector.htm.

Throughout December, a video about the proposal will be played on Citycable 5 every Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.