Sprawling suburbs, filled with McMansions, will become slums within the next decade. The mortgage crisis will force more and more families to abandon their supersize homes, and the empty homes will lose value. Low-income renters will move in and trash them. So predicts writer Christopher Leinberger in the current issue of Atlantic magazine.

Could it happen in Spokane? Not likely, but another trend Leinberger notes is happening here. Inner-city living is trendy again. Neighborhoods that boast smaller homes, easy access to public transportation, and pedestrian and small-business friendly streets will be in greater demand as empty nesters downsize and young families gravitate toward walkable communities.

As part of the comprehensive plan process, the city of Spokane has set aside $550,000 to be distributed among the 27 neighborhood councils. Residents will brainstorm challenges and opportunities in their neighborhoods and plan accordingly.

The Nevada Lidgerwood Neighborhood Council has been into neighborhood planning for a long time. Its “comprehensive” plan is ambitious and visionary. The NorthTown mall area is well-known for shopping – and lots of traffic. The residential streets surrounding the mall are filled with smaller, affordable homes. The neighborhood boasts two expansive parks, Franklin and Clark. But you rarely see the area’s 8,000 residents on foot or the neighborhood’s children cross busy Division Street to get to the parks.

Now imagine the future NorthTown area as envisioned by neighborhood planners. The streets are lined with healthy trees. Sidewalks and safe intersections encourage foot traffic. Pedestrian bridges stretch over Division; children walk and bike to Franklin and Clark parks.

An impossible dream? Mickey Thompson doesn’t think so. He’s a Nevada Lidgerwood neighborhood activist who, along with a core group of other dedicated neighborhood planners, believe their 5-square-mile neighborhood can realize its potential. He’s also hopeful that inner-city neighborhoods will revive throughout Spokane.

“The excitement is there,” Thompson said. “Spokane is ready.”

Transforming urban dreams to urban reality requires hard work. That work is happening in the neighborhood councils. Roll up your sleeves and join in.