City moves to take lead on Mann Hall

The Spokane City Council on Monday said it wants the city to get involved in planning the future of the Joe E. Mann U.S. Army Reserve Center now that the military is moving its reserve operation to a new consolidated facility at Fairchild Air Force Base.

The council voted 5-1 in favor of a resolution authorizing the city to initiate redevelopment efforts for the post, 4415 N. Market St. The city was facing an Aug. 4 deadline to submit its request to the federal government.

Councilman Bob Apple, who represents the northeast Spokane council district, voted against the resolution because he said that some members of the Hillyard business community were seeking to limit options for the potential redevelopment, and that he fears local infighting will doom the redevelopment.

Fellow northeast Councilman Al French supported the resolution, but said that the redevelopment should be self-supporting and not become a drain on city resources.

Representatives of the Hillyard Neighborhood Council and Greater Hillyard Business Association outlined a proposal to turn the Mann Center into a new home for economic revitalization efforts in Hillyard. The center could become an income- producing facility, they said.

Councilman Brad Stark criticized Mayor Dennis Hession for not initially pursuing the redevelopment, but Hession said that the city received confusing information from the federal government, which made the city’s response to the closure slower than it might have been otherwise. Hession supported a broader community planning effort for the center.

The Defense Department earlier this year said it is planning a $31 million Armed Forces Reserve Center and Organizational Maintenance Shop at Fairchild as part of a government effort to consolidate and close unneeded military facilities.

Spokane Army reservists are currently housed at two aging facilities, the Mann center and the Walker Army Reserve Center in Spokane Valley.

The Defense Department is allowing communities where bases are being closed to establish local redevelopment authorities to plan for a transition from military to civilian use. The department requires broad community input on the planning efforts.

The resolution adopted Monday allows for the creation of a local redevelopment authority board under the auspices of the city, and it authorizes the mayor to seek grants for any project.

“Mann Hall is the front door to Hillyard,” French said in supporting its redevelopment.