S. Perry Businesses Want Master Plan For District In/Around: East Central

Thu., March 16, 2000

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

The South Perry Business Association is so serious about upgrading its commercial strip that it wants a master plan for the area, not a piecemeal approach to improvements.

“We’re just in the initial planning stages,” said Mel Silva, president of the association.

Earlier this year, the East Central Neighborhood Steering Committee agreed to spend $45,000 on street improvements for the aging business area.

Silva said the business owners hope the steering committee will continue to support the improvements from annual community development funds.

Tom Reese, a city planner, has agreed to work with the business owners to develop a master plan, Silva said. He would also seek other grant money that could be paired with community development funds.

The initial work probably will involve the replacement of sidewalks and the installation of decorative street-tree planters and trees along the parking strips.

“The sidewalks are in need of repair, badly,” Silva said.

The business owners are talking about capturing the historic legacy of the century-old area with signs and other improvements along the corridor.

Silva is expected to give a report to the council on progress in the Perry district during the council’s meeting Monday at 6 p.m. at the East Central Community Center.

The business owners are also talking about organizing community events next summer to attract more people to the neighborhood.

One idea is to hold a firefighter chili cookoff in Grant Park next summer in conjunction with a quilt show and classic car show.

Another idea would bring the Spokane Symphony to Lincoln and Grant parks for performances.

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