Coming soon: housing crisis

City Council is leading the charge in our current housing crisis. They’re going to stir up some litigation with a handful of miscreant landlords, and also force landlords to allow leases to terminate so landlords can raise rents up to market value. And did you hear, “Amazon is coming to town”? Along with a whole bunch of other businesses and people? Our housing shortage is about to increase exponentially.

Ok, fine a few landlords, maybe some homeless too, but then what? Small-mindedness and pocket change won’t help matters.

We need the mothers and fathers of our city to step up again. Those with big ideas and deep pockets. Those who saw the Riverpark Square, Historic Davenport, University District and Kendall Yards we know today while they were still derelict or wasteland.

Our City Government needs to encourage the innovators and risk-takers, entrepreneurs and builders to build up the beautiful city. We need new urban gardens where people live, work and play, accurately reflecting the beauty of Riverfront Park, because that’s who Spokane is. And that is something we must cherish.

Anyone can throw rocks at landlords and the homeless. But only a few have big stones and the thick skin required to build up the beautiful city. Let’s encourage them to have at it!

Jerry Bishop

Chattaroy