Deadline is Friday for Mann Center proposals

Friday is the deadline for proposals to convert the Joe E. Mann Center in Hillyard into a community facility after the military vacates the property as early as 2009.

As many as 10 proposals could be submitted with a variety of prospective uses, including an education center, social service center or housing for homeless residents. Other proposals are likely to seek a mix of uses.

A local redevelopment authority appointed by the Spokane mayor and City Council will review the proposals and make recommendations to City Hall for future use of the facility. The nine-member redevelopment group has nine months to make those recommendations.

The Defense Department last year announced it was planning a $31 million Armed Forces Reserve Center and Organizational Maintenance Shop at Fairchild Air Force Base 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 at 4415 N. Market St. 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 the transition from military to civilian use. The department requires broad community input on the planning efforts.