Help Plan the Future of Riverfront Park

Exciting changes could be in store for Riverfront Park and each citizen has a chance to shape the future of the Park.

Three community meetings have been scheduled to allow for public discussion and feedback regarding the proposed Riverfront Park Master Plan. The goal of any considered updates would be to continue the legacy of Expo ’74 while keeping the downtown park relevant for generations to come. The meetings are:

Thursday, May 24, 6 to 8 p.m. West Central Community Center 1603 W. Belt St.
Tuesday, May 29, 6 to 8 p.m. Southside Senior Activity Center 3151 E. 27th Ave.
Thursday, May 31, 6 to 8 p.m. Hillyard Senior Center 4001 N. Cook St.
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As part of “Spokane: Open for Business” month, the City of Spokane will offer a business license amnesty program and business assistance each day during the week of May 21.

“This month, we are focused on our work to help the private sector,” says Mayor David Condon. “During the week of May 21, our businesses can get caught up on licensing requirements and seek out additional support.”

As part of the business license amnesty program, previously unlicensed businesses can apply for a license without interest or penalty. To be eligible for the interest and penalty waiver, previously unlicensed businesses must pay for all licenses due during the amnesty period and must not have been previously contacted by the City regarding business license requirements.
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Spokane City legal representation and Ann Zehm have reached a tentative agreement with regard to the civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit filed against the City and numerous individual officers of the Spokane Police Department, following the death of Otto Zehm on March 18, 2006. For the settlement to be finalized, approval by the Spokane City Council is required.

The tentative settlement agreement provides for compensation to Mrs. Zehm and Otto Zehm’s estate, as well as a letter of apology to Mrs. Zehm and commitments by the City with regard to crisis intervention training. Other non-monetary commitments and agreements in the settlement bring the estimated present value of the settlement to $2 million.

The Mayor and City Attorney will present the recommendations for approval of the settlement agreement to the next City Council meeting, as early as Monday, May 21. Details of the settlement will be made available prior to that meeting.

The settlement follows two days of mediation by federal District Court Hon. Michael J. Hogan of Eugene, Oregon, and Idaho attorney, Ford Elsaesser.

Counsel for Mrs. Zehm and the City are preparing the necessary legal documents, as well as the written recommendations to the City Council. A copy of the transcript of the agreement will be available no later than Monday morning.

As the City has annexed more of the upper South Hill in the last decade we have inherited a lot neighborhoods that lack connectivity. East-west routes about 37th avenue are especially challenging. Too many cul-de-sacs and not enough street grid. Add to that a new Southgate District center, which extended multi-family tax exemption to open fields behind Shopco, and a reduction in bus service and you have a recipe for traffic congestion. I campaigned against the new Southgate District Center and this is why: you can’t add 600 new apartment units in such a constrained area at the edge of the city without causing problems. Read the rest of this entry »

West Central Neighborhood Resiliency Convergence Week!

A Convergence of Ideas & People to Promote Neighborhood Resiliency Through Sustainable Food, Water, Energy, Exchange & Transportation Systems in Inner-City Spokane

Learn more at the Opening Celebration and block party on Sunday May 13th from 6-8pm at Salem Lutheran Church (1428 W. Broadway). Click here for the brochure!

Come gather with each other for a fun-filled week of cash free exchange of labor and ideas to improve the neighborhood and build community. Schedules are available at the Opening Celebration on Sunday or any day next week at Indaba Coffee (1425 W. Broadway). There will be wonderful talks, conversations, and presentations each night from 7-9pm at various locations throughout West Central Neighborhood.
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