Browne’s Addition honored nationally
Historic area named ‘great neighborhood’ by planners
Browne’s Addition, the oldest residential neighborhood in Spokane, is being recognized by a planning organization as one of 10 great neighborhoods in the United States.
The Spokane neighborhood was named because of its history, architecture, geographic setting, planning elements and functionality as a place to live. Its range of housing prices was also a consideration, according to Paul Farmer, chief executive of the American Planning Association, the organization granting the award. .
Mayor Mary Verner is scheduled to present the award today at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council.
The APA annually selects 10 neighborhoods for recognition in its Great Places in America program.
Browne’s Addition was designated a national historic district in 1976, and many of its historic homes have been placed separately on the Spokane Register of Historic Places.
Originally platted by homestead pioneer J.J. Browne, the neighborhood to the west of downtown has 239 historic buildings, many of which are stately mansions that have been preserved by private owners.
A neighborhood design plan was implemented using federal community development funds in the early 1980s, and that led to installation of period street lamps, signs, bus shelters, a traffic circle with planters and improvements to Coeur d’Alene Park. The park has a replica gazebo that came from those efforts.
The neighborhood is the site of several public events, including ArtFest, ElkFest and summer concerts.
“Browne’s Addition is a great historical neighborhood that’s rich in culture and bursting with community activity,” Verner said in a news release.