Hillyard firms push Mann Center plan

The Spokane City Council this week postponed action on a recommendation for reuse of the Pfc. Joe E. Mann Army Reserve Center after members of the Greater Hillyard Business Association and others appealed to the council to consider an alternative for a manufacturing business development center.

A citizen advisory committee studied reuse ideas over the past year and came up with a proposal that would convert the existing office and shop areas to educational uses; turn a vacant piece of land into a gateway for the Hillyard business district; and allow undeveloped parking areas to be sold for private development.

The business association said it wants the City Council to pursue their more comprehensive idea for turning the property at 4415 N. Market St. into a development center for new manufacturing businesses and work-force training.

“We have plenty of space in Hillyard for new companies. What we need now is good, family-wage jobs,” said John Bogensberger, president of the business association, in a press release last week.

The council postponed action on a recommendation until March 31.

Marlene Feist, public affairs officer for the city, said the business association-backed proposal was not accepted by a citizen advisory committee because of questions about its financial viability. She said the U.S. Department of Defense could reject a city recommendation if it does not meet its standards and then it would sell the entire 5.9-acre property on the open market.

Once the council accepts a recommendation, then city staff would be authorized to prepare a development plan, which would be submitted to the U.S. government.

“It’s all still up for discussion,” she said about the reuse, adding that it has the potential to encourage Hillyard revitalization.

A new reserve center is being planned for Fairchild Air Force Base to open as early as next year.

Larry Davis, of Eastern Washington University’s business resource center, said he was going to try to work on getting agreement on a unified proposal for education and business development. He said sale of the vacant land does not make sense because Hillyard already has large amounts of underused and open land.

He was urged by council members to work with Spokane Public Schools, Community Colleges of Spokane and business entities to refine the proposal, which could include a product development center.

“I think there is a real opportunity for the groups to come together,” Davis said. He said a manufacturing development center would be self-sustaining.

“That is an extremely well maintained facility up there,” Davis said.

Mark Anderson, associate superintendent for Spokane Public Schools, said the district could use the Mann Center for a variety of staff members and programs serving special education, alternative education and homeless students. Moving programs to the Mann Center would reduce lease costs for the school district, he said.