City will help with NE center expansion

Thu., Aug. 16, 2007

By Jonathan Brunt jonathanb@spokesman.com (509) 459-5442

The Northeast Community Center is more than halfway to the $6 million it needs to expand.

The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 5-2 to give the center $600,000 from its $11 million surplus from 2006 for the project.

The center, 4001 N. Cook St., provides a variety of youth, senior and health services. Plans call for an expansion that would almost double its size.

Jean Farmer, executive director of the center, said the project already has commitments from state and federal sources for $3 million of the cost. The center’s board requested that the city, which owns the building, contribute 10 percent of the expansion price.

With the council’s vote, it will be easier to solicit donations from foundations and private sources, Farmer said.

“Their question is always, ‘Why should they invest if the city that owns it hasn’t invested?” Farmer said. “We’re pleased that the city stepped up.”

The council praised the project, but two members questioned the size of the contribution. Council President Joe Shogan and Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin voted against the spending.

McLaughlin noted that Spokane didn’t contribute to the expansion of the West Central Community Center, which was completed in 2006.

“I would like to give something, but I’m not comfortable with the full $600,000,” McLaughlin said.

She said the council has been “financially reckless” with the surplus and hasn’t followed the process agreed to by the council and Mayor Dennis Hession for spending the extra money.

Councilman Brad Stark, however, said with much of the surplus earmarked for items like a new heating system at City Hall, “it would be nice if we could spend some of this money in the reserves on people.”

Jonathan Brunt can be reached at jonathanb@spokesman.com or (509) 459-5442.

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