City moves on downtown plan

The Spokane City Council on Sept. 24 approved a contract that sets the stage for making the downtown area more accessible to pedestrians and integrates new development with existing buildings and services.

The council agreed to spend up to $150,000 over the next two years on revising the eight-year-old downtown plan, which provides a blueprint for future growth and changes in the downtown area.

A California-based consultant is being hired for the work, which will include at least one community workshop at the outset of the planning process.

The Downtown Spokane Partnership is being hired by the city under the contract to manage the plan.

Money to pay for the city’s share of the cost will come from a recent increase in downtown parking meter rates and the addition of a seventh meter patrol person.

City documents show that the design and development plan will address expansion of the city’s central business district; urban design elements such as building height and character; circulation and street amenities; and development concepts for open areas.

The emerging University District on the east end of downtown and the Kendall Yards development on the north bank of the Spokane River need to be integrated with downtown, proponents of the plan have said.

The general idea is to update the “vision” for downtown for the next three to five years. The finished product can then be used by the city to develop a new downtown zoning ordinance and design guidelines.

Aside from a community workshop, the consultant, MIG Inc., will work with downtown property owners and entities.

In other business, the council approved a consultant agreement with David Evans and Associates Inc., for Phase 2 of planning for a white-water park on the Spokane River at High Bridge Park at a cost not to exceed $57,500.

A conceptual design and report were produced by Evans in 2006. The new agreement calls for continued work on preliminary design and obtaining five to six government approvals needed for the project, including a shorelines conditional-use permit through City Hall.

A separate consultant is being sought for a cultural resources investigation because the site is known to have drawn Spokane Indian ancestors to seasonal encampments and likely was a trading center.

Also, the council took testimony on relinquishing public right of way on three alleys. They are between Central and Columbia avenues from Lidgerwood to Addison streets; between 13th and 14th avenues from Madison to West End streets; and between Pacific and Second avenues from Browne to State streets.

The council rejected another request by Glen Cloninger & Associates to relinquish 7.5 feet of right of way on 29th Avenue east of Pittsburg Street, which was acquired by the city for future installation of a left-turn lane to accommodate proposed commercial growth there.