Proposal lays out future of North Hill neighborhood

Months of work by North Hill neighborhood leaders and city planners have led to a comprehensive plan to guide the future of the Garland Business District and the rest of the North Hill area.

The plan builds on the existing land uses and public assets in the neighborhood and calls for improvements to the Garland District, the bluff area that overlooks the city, and bike and pedestrian safety, among other issues.

The proposal is expected to go the City Council on Monday.

City Councilwoman Karen Stratton, who represents northwest Spokane, including the North Hill, said the plan was put together with strong involvement by the neighborhood.

“They had great neighborhood turnouts,” Stratton said. “It was nice to watch that neighborhood come together.”

The 1935 Milk Bottle café, the 1945 Garland Theater, Ferguson’s Café, Wall Street Diner and a historic Masonic lodge are among the beloved landmarks in the Garland District. Original neon signs still hang from some of the businesses.

The plan identifies four major priorities:

• Support the Garland Business District by establishing a design identity and improving the image of the area for a better shopping environment with new landscaping, signs and other amenities. The identity would be enhanced by creating defined entry points. The plan calls for maintaining the friendly business character.

• Reduce crime by improving lighting in darkened areas, along arterials, in parks and along the North Hill bluff. Improved building maintenance could also reduce crime.

• Improve public safety with better pedestrian and bike routes along auto-oriented arterials, fill in sidewalk gaps and improve pedestrian crossings of Monroe Street, Wellesley Avenue and other arterials. Curb extensions are recommended for arterials to shorten crossing distances for pedestrians.

• Preserve the neighborhood’s character with thoughtful site planning and cohesive designs.

Consultants MIG and BergerABAM helped develop the plan.

The North Hill Neighborhood is bounded on the north by Francis Avenue, on the east by Division Street, on the south by the bluff area and on the west by Ash Street.

The plan calls for improvements at the neighborhood’s three parks – Franklin, B.A. Clark and Ruth.

Enhanced lighting, trails, sidewalks, seating areas and informal play areas are recommended.

A public activity area along one of the side streets, such as Lincoln Avenue north of Garland, could be the site for future public events.

The plan includes a drawing for improved landscaping and sidewalks to create an entryway going up the Monroe Street Hill toward Garland.

The plan also calls for preserving the open space along the bluff, which is a mix of public and private lands.

City Councilwoman Candace Mumm, who also represents northwest Spokane, said she is excited about the idea for preserving open space and views along the bluff, which connects to Drumheller Springs, a historic Native American campsite just west of Ash Street.