Citizens interested in development of the Spokane River Gorge area below the Spokane Falls have a chance next week to comment on a strategic plan that’s been four years in the drafting.

A public meeting will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Champions Room at the Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon.

Nearly a century ago, renowned landscape architects the Olmsted Brothers recommended that the area be developed as an accessible greenbelt. A public action group formed in 2000 as Friends of the Falls to revive the idea. Since then they have partnered with the city of Spokane, individual lawmakers and the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and have received more than $275,000 in public and private grants.

Wednesday’s session will be the final community workshop where citizens can give feedback to the various projects that are part of the plan. More information is available on the Web at www.friendsofthefalls.org.

• The city of Spokane’s plans to annex 77.28 acres that include the Shopko commercial area at 44th and Regal will be the subject of a hearing on Monday before the state Boundary Review Board for Spokane County. The session will begin at 7 p.m. at the Educational Services District 101 building, 4202 S. Regal.

People or agencies who are affected by the decision may present testimony at that time. A map is available on the Web at www.spokanecounty.org/boundary.

• The Northwest Power and Conservation Council is interested in public reactions to its proposed Fifth Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Plan. Three Inland Northwest sites are included in a list of hearings being held throughout the region this month and next.

The times and dates include: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 28, Red Lion Hotel, 525 N. 20th, Pasco; 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16, Coeur d’Alene Resort, 1115 S. Second, Coeur d’Alene; and Red Lion Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive, Spokane.

The plan is intended to guide power generation decisions in order to assure a reliable supply of electricity in the region while protecting fish and wildlife. More information is available on the Web at www.nwcouncil.org.