Browne’s Addition OKs youth program funds

At its regular meeting on June 5, the Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council voted in favor of giving $37,000 in community development funds toward the move of Peaceful Valley Community Center’s youth program to All Saints Lutheran Church, 314 S. Spruce St.

The money will be used for remodeling at the church.

The vote came after months of debate about whether the neighborhood would support the youth center’s move.

This vote replaces a vote taken at the council’s chaotic January meeting that was found invalid at the February meeting.

At meetings in March, April and May neighbors and community members were invited to share their views on the youth center’s move and the allocation of funds.

“A lot of emotion was tied into the discussion,” said Rick Biggerstaff, vice chairman of the neighborhood council. “This vote is not on whether the youth program moves. This vote only has to do with allocation of the money.”

Neighborhood council members clarified that the $37,000 is only allocated to the church in the event that the youth program actually moves.

Joe Shogan, neighborhood council member and former president of the Spokane City Council, has championed the idea of moving the youth program to Browne’s Addition.

When neighbors asked how the youth center would be funded, Shogan explained that the project already has $100,000 in community development funds and is awaiting a $130,000 state grant once the state’s budget is approved.

“We need a total of $294,000 but we are almost there,” Shogan said before the vote.

The Browne’s Addition Neighborhood Council will meet Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m., at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave.