Proposed city center taking shape
Architect Michael Freedman presented a conceptual site plan of the proposed city center Tuesday during a special joint meeting of the Spokane Valley City Council and Spokane County Library District board members.
Slated for development bounded by University, Sprague, Appleway and Dartmouth, the plan showcased a separate and distinctive City Hall and library amid retail, restaurants and pedestrian “green” areas.
The library will be the anchor for the city center project. “Of all the public buildings that there are, and with the exception of a post office, nothing generates as much coming and going as a library does,” Freedman said. “The unique thing about a library is that it’s equally comfortable as an anchor of a residential area as it is of an urban commercial area, so it’s a nice thing to have.”
Earlier that day, Freedman met with the Library District board for a preliminary work session. “It was a very good mix with good input,” Freedman said.
Initially, the revitalization project focused on the worn slab of concrete parking lots and abandoned buildings to the east of University. Now, all of that’s changed.
“We’ve been directed to assume that the site includes Rosauers, the parking lot, and the McDonald’s. In essence this site is about 30.5, acres and the previous site was about 19 acres. There’s a lot more property and that’s a very good thing,” Freedman said. “This is a city center that will allow us to do something we wanted to do on the east side but couldn’t and that is to run the main public space and the main activity perpendicular to Sprague where most of the traffic is going to be.”
According to Freedman, revitalized city centers vastly improve the negative images left behind after businesses move on, leaving empty buildings and vacant parking lots that became eyesores.
Impressive sketches of the envisioned city center were presented to the Council and Library board members depicting the library as the center’s main building and City Hall to the left.
“It’s very important that both buildings have a very prominent view from both Appleway and Sprague,” Freedman stated. “Architecture will define the buildings, and there will be retail, a small plaza and pedestrian activity areas.”
Combining the library and city hall is not conducive to a vibrant and viable city center. “After studying master planning of city centers for several years, we’ve noticed that unless you have functions that require the buildings to be next to each other, you don’t get the same bang for your revitalization dollar by putting them together. It’s better to separate them and give them a strong civic expression,” Freedman explained.
Although the meeting was open to the public, only the City Council and library board members could comment and ask questions.
At the conclusion, library board members voiced concerns about parking for younger and disabled patrons as well as staff. Freedman noted there are 200 separate library patron parking spaces and the staff could utilize the City Hall parking lot if necessary. He also recommended that some parking lot ideals need to be conceded.
“One has to let go of the suburban prototype, giving up some things in order to get other things,” he said. “For example, in this case the library gets connectivity, patrons, prestige and visibility that it would never get in the middle of a parking lot.”
Freedman mentioned parking was also a concern during the afternoon think tank. “Even though we’re on a fast track, we have time to do another site plan. That’s why we’re here today. Tell us what changes you want so we can get to the ‘oh wow’ level.”
Additional issues regarding converting Appleway and Sprague from one-way to two-way streets and the possibility of “incremental developing” were noted by Freedman, but for the most part, the council and board were pleased.
“Urban parking is totally understandable, but I’m still concerned about the older people and all the little kids,” Ann Apperson, chair of the Library board, said. “I like the fact that we have visibility on the main avenues. I think it looks great.”
Library board trustee Tim Hattenburg added, “I would like to add that the parking is a minor thing that can be worked out. The overall plan looks outstanding.”
Council member Dick Denenny remarked, “I think you did a great job.”
Scott Kuhta, Spokane Valley senior planner, announced they were hoping to bring in developers by November. “At this time everything’s coming together really nicely,” he said.
“It’s the place that’s going to feel like the heart of the community,” Freedman said of the proposed city center.