Grant will fund 50 new trees

A new grant program to plant up to 50 street trees downtown each year was announced recently through the city of Spokane, Spokane County Conservation District and Downtown Spokane Partnership.

Property owners can apply for grants of up to $500 for new trees or replacement trees, if they agree to remove an existing tree with their own funds. Also, irrigation and a commitment to care for the tree for 25 years are part of the requirements. The city will provide appropriate planting mix for tree holes. The conservation district will plant the tree from a list of ashes and lindens. The partnership is promoting the program.

The eligible area is bounded by Spokane Falls Boulevard to the north, Second Avenue to the south, just past Monroe Street to the west, and just past Washington Street to the east.

Applications are available from the city and can be printed off the city Web site at www.spokanecity.org.

– Mike Prager

Riverside

Public Safety Forum next week

The Riverside Neighborhood Council will hold its annual Public Safety Forum on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 1-A of the Downtown Public Library.

Guests include representatives of the Police Department, Department of Corrections, COPS program and the Downtown Ambassadors. Discussion topics include the emergency communications ballot proposal, the upcoming “precinct” style of policing a neighborhood, the relocation of the COPS Downtown facility, crime reporting and victim prevention.