MetroSpokane

Picture this: 2007-the year in pictures...

Be sure and GET FLASH...

So there it is.  2007 has less than 24 hours of life left.  And to reflect properly, we've pulled together a hodge-podge of the best and worst images we snapped over the past year.  Given your need to be brief as you surf on the company dime, we kept the number of images low (somewhat) and opted out of any kind of a soundtrack (Though if you absolutely need one consider this).  You can thank us in the comments section.

Thanks for another outstanding year.  We appreciate your comments, contributions, and most of all the numerous tips provided.  2008 will most certainly be bigger and better...isn't it always?

Happy New Year!

MetroSpokane

Mapping Louden Swain...

Vision Quest was probably the best movie ever made in Spokane during the 1980s...ok it was maybe the ONLY movie made in Spokane during the 1980s.  Still it's a good flick and captured some great scenes of Spokane during that time period.

In the opening credits of the movie, Louden Swain-the main character-is seen leaving wrestling practice at Thompson High (North Central High School) and jogs to work at the Ridpath Hotel.  Using only the footage from the movie (via YouTube), we've recreated in Google Maps what may be the first attempt at recreating the jogging route Louden Swain purportedly used to get to work...and it's confusing as hell.  According to the movie footage it includes a jog through West Central (vacant Kendall Yards site is visible), the crossing of four bridges, and a run through the skywalk.  Given the sequence of the bridges it would require multiple loops through Riverfront Park.  Who knows...he was trying to drop a lot of weight to wrestle Shute.

• Check out the Louden Swain Jogging Map [Google Maps]

While you were Christmasting...

Two cool things spotted over the long weekend:

1. Flexcar in Spokane (NOT)
2. Spokane County Trip Planner for STA

We spotted a Flexcar cruising south on Monroe St. on Monday evening and for a brief moment thought the well known car-sharing service had arrived in town and we didn't get the memo or something.  Then we looked down and everything became clear.  Sigh...

Spokaneownsyou writes about the sweet new Trip Planner mashup for Spokane Transit Riders but not created by STA (their version is atrocious).  Forget Google Transit; we've our own home-grown version and it should go down as the single biggest improvement to transit service in Spokane in probably the past 5 years.  It's sleek, easy to operate, and makes navigating transit in Spokane County that much easier.  It even provides the stop numbers (who knew they were numbered?).  If you use it,and you should, thank the developer and provide feedback...even a thank-you would be considerate.

Compare:

• Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority
• Washington DC's METRO Trip Planner
• Spokane County Trip Planner - STA

STOREFRONT: ZOLA expanding food & liqs offerings in the East End

When we last dropped by Main and Division, Cafe Dolce was hours away from opening its doors for business, and the Magic Lantern had been running things running smoothly for well over a month.  However yesterday on a stroll we spotted the above public notice on 22 W. Main [GMAP] across from Isabella's.

Having just seen one of these on a post at The Back Kitchen, we took a closer look.  The name reads ZOLA and ZOLA wants to serve wine, beer, and liqs as a restaurant/lounge format.  The lights were off, but the daylighting was enough to give a glimpse of the interior which looked somewhat eclectic.  A bar near the front entry was all we could see, with perhaps room for dining just beyond towards the back...Oh...Hell...Yeah. The East Side just gets better and better.  It's amazing what a movie theater can do for a place.

The Abbey: Density everyone should love

Examples of well designed infill development are few and far between as we've illustrated here and here.  Especially in the Perry nabe where they've suffered more than their fair share of off-the-shelf, Anywhere, WA designs over the past couple years.  Well suffer no more; The Perry District is getting what appears to be some well deserved quality infill up on 15th and Ivory.  Welcome, The Abbey.

On a basalt and pine strewn 26,000 sqf lot the six roomy homes will share a common garden-grounds area, and each will have their own private garden patios.  Oh, did we mention it'll all be done with a green bent to it?  Green buzzwords include passive solar gain, SIPs construction, and lots of recycled and renewable materials. Perhaps the most shocking aspect is that they actually look to fit into the surrounding neighborhood in terms of scale, site plan, and design [gasp]. The location is pretty sweet, providing easy access to transit, bike lanes, and a stone's throw to a neighborhood center.  See?  Density doesn't have to be a dirty word.

• Your Floorplan & Elevation fix after the leap [pdf]>>>
• The Abbey - 15th and Ivory [GMAP]

TIPLINE: Another way to give feedback on the Downtown Plan...

The word is that the 1st public meeting on the Downtown Plan Update we mentioned earlier went quite well with a pretty healthy turnout.  Now we know not everyone can make these meetings, but your input is important nevertheless.  Via the MetroSpokane Tipline we were told about another way to provide feedback - An Online Comment Form courtesy the Downtown Spokane Partnership.

This is your chance to touch on those topics that most concern you about YOUR downtown.  A true Boulevard for Spokane Falls Boulevard?  Change back the one-ways?  Improved streetscapes for pedestrians?  More bike facilities/lockers/racks/lanes?  Etc., etc.  So there you go.  You've officially been handed the mike, so make it worth your while.

[NOTE:Though the site says comments are due by 12/14 we've heard they're still accepting.  So take five minutes and let 'er rip.]

• Link:  Downtown Plan Update Comment Form - [Downtown Spokane Partnership]

Is Macy's in need of a facelift or a gutting?

It used to be that the center of commerce for Spokane was along Riverside, not along it’s aptly named “Main Street.” How things have changed: over the last decade Spokane has seen Main Street become the shopper’s destination, much of that because of sizable financial and architectural investment.  Along Main in the last ten years River Park Square was redeveloped, the streetscapes enhanced, a new Nordstrom added, and 809 W Main was 'adaptively reused', this time with windows.  Even the old Crescent building is undergoing major changes including a new restaurant in February of 2008, “The Melting Pot” to be located on the second story corner of Post and Main [GMAP].

Post and Riverside: Grant Building makeover underway

A much needed face-lift of the three-story 42,000 sqf Grant Building at Post and Riverside has started.  The fencing and jersey-barriers are in place and the odd exterior material is already filling the dumpsters.  Downtown office employees everywhere were heard quietly mumbling something about the benefits of windows.  Architects Nystrom Olson Collins are taking full ownership of the design.

• Grant Building - 806 W. Riverside [GMAP]

Do This: Division St. Centennial Trail Mural

A video proposal for a mural of the Centennial Trail along the large blank wall next to the Division Street Bridge has popped up on YouTube.  The proposal is well thought out and provides some good imagery of the suggested locations along with lighting and other ideas. 

Wayfinding elements can be a great way for an area or neighborhood to distinguish itself while providing people with helpful information for getting around. Something on this large of a scale could really liven up this portion of the trail and serve to educate visitors (Note convention center next door)about the river and the extensive trail.  We're not sure who's behind it but we like it.  In two years the trail will be 20 years old.  Thoughts? Concerns?  Leave 'em in the comments section.

Sketchup Models of Downtown on the rise...

Fans of Sketchup will love this.  Over on Sketchup's 3D Warehouse do a search for 'Spokane' and you'll find a small but growing collection of Spokane structures modeled using Google Sketchup.  Some of your favorites are there including the Paulsen Buildings, Great Northern Clock Tower, Mount Spokane Vista House, and our personal fav - Sushi.com (sweet!).  But in a crushing blow to Spokane, it was discovered that the City of Cheney has nearly every building in their downtown modeled and available.

Since the models are out in the public domain, you can download the originals and begin building your collection of prime Spokane Real Estate.  It gets really interesting when you load the models into Google Earth.  While you're at it, do something about the surface parking lots.

Gaiser Conservatory Holiday Lights...

Be sure and GET FLASH...

Not many cities can boast a full on conservatory as part of their parks system, and for Spokane the Gaiser Conservatory at Manito park is a great asset.  When the short days of winter have you pulling your hair out there's no better time to visit and take in the light, warmth and oxygen-rich air.  Until that time arrives though, you're best to visit now through the 16th of December when the Holiday Lights are on display.  Something like 20k lights make for an odd, but entertaining way to experience our conservatory this time of year.  The free event is put on by the Parks and Rec Dept. and The Friends of Manito, so drop a few bills in the basket while you're there to show your support.

• Gaiser Conservatory at Manito Park [GMAP]

Beautiful Latah Valley...from a helmet cam

Sometimes it's helpful to look at your neighborhood from a different perspective.  Like through the eyes of a first time visitor, or better yet a para-glider launching himself off high-drive on Thanksgiving Day.  You've seen the earlier footage from a bystander, now view it from the helmet-cam.  Hands down this is the best Spokane-related video on YouTube of the year.  Sit back and enjoy the ride.

2008-The year of 'Complete Streets' in Spokane?

2007 will likely go down as the year bicycle advocates in Spokane were finally heard.  Biking infrastructure has made some tremendous gains this year thanks to many dedicated individuals, but we're not satisfied.  Looking ahead to 2008 we see the momentum continuing for a city that's safer and more accessible for non-automotive forms of transportation.  We think 2008 could be a prime year for the complete streets movement to finally arrive in Spokane.

Complete streets are streets that serve all transportation users and this includes pedestrians, bikes, wheelchairs, transit and autos.  Think about the streets you use everyday to get home, to work, to the store, etc.  Which ones are designed with all users in mind?  It's nothing new in Washington State, in fact Seattle took the bold step of pledging to create complete streets first by passing a resolution and then a city ordinance the following year.  Redmond and Kirkland are into it as well...so why couldn't we?  C'mon, when you have the AARP and biking advocates on the same side of an issue something is up.

• Completethestreets.org
• Cities redo streets for pedestrians, cyclists, transit [New Urban News]

Friday Linkfest

[The Garbage Car appears in the East End - Photo courtesy of the MetroSpokane photo pool on Flickr]

• Spokane's smallest house is officially on the market [craigslist]
• Courthouse area 'Tower of Power' denied [spokesman]
• Biking infrastructure may have a place in next year's budget [cyclingspokane]
• Pedals2People/Scoop Bike photo show opens this sunday at the Scoop[pedals2people]

For Sale: Mid Cent. Mod on Altamont

Ahhh...the rancher...few things go better with the suburbs.  But for a clever twist how about a mid-century modern rancher rubbing shoulders with turn-of-the-last-century homes in a historic south hill nabe?  2407 E North Altamont Blvd has that and more.  The 1953 custom rancher is a set up that would have even DWELL drooling.  Plenty of built-ins, wood paneling, slate, and a wall of windows with what must be a sweet view of downtown.  And the wet bar...sweet mother, the wet bar.  The price isn't too bad either at $389,000.  But just two beds?

• Listing - 2407 E North Altamont Blvd [MLS]
• 2407 E North Altamont Blvd [GMAP]

Tips for Ciclovia Spokane-How Bogota, Columbia does it...

We know we're not even mid Winter, but we wanted to mention again an important topic.  Last Spring we raised the idea of doing a Ciclovia Spokane event and it generated some good discussion.  We even threw out a beginner route idea. To follow-up, the good people at StreetFilms traveled south to Bogota, Colombia, the birthplace of Ciclovia, to see first hand how the event transforms their city for seven hours each week.  It's an impressive display of people from a variety of backgrounds truly enjoying and experiencing their city in a way that isn't possible at any other time.  Imagine the same here in Spokane...[NOTE: At 8:25 in they share the names of other cities across the world where this event has spread.]

The future is Metro...

Well it finally happened.  At some point over the last 50 years we became a metropolitan nation. 
Recognizing this the Brookings Institute last month kicked off a multi-year program called Blueprint for American Prosperity.  The program is aimed at using those critical assests - innovation, human capital, infrastructure, and quality places - that tend to be located in major metropolitan areas.

Consider for a moment these stats:

• The nation's 100 largest metro areas account for 75 percent of the nation's gross domestic product
• More than four out of every five Americans live in metropolitan areas
• Washington has two of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas—Seattle and Portland/Vancouver
• Seattle and Portland/Vancouver alone account for 58 percent of the state’s population, 62 percent of the state’s jobs, and 71 percent of the state’s gross domestic product
• Spokane ranks 105 out of 363 metropolitan areas in terms of number of jobs

We're close to breaking into the top 100.  Ahead of Spokane are: Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL (MSA), Winston-Salem, NC, Lakeland, FL, Reno-Sparks, NV, and Fort Wayne, IN.

• MetroNation Profile:  Washington's Metropolitan Areas(pdf)
• Blueprint for American Prosperity [Brookings Institute]

Copy This: Free Local Book Exchange...

[Photo courtesy Simonk via Flickr ]
Making the neighborhoods we inhabit more comfortable places can often be accomplished in the simplest of ways.  One guy in Chicago's Logan Square took a very creative approach to increasing the comfort and connectivity of his neighborhood.  Taking one of the ubiquitous newspaper boxes found all over, he gutted it, repainted it and placed it on a prominent street corner in his neighborhood.  The revamped box reads, "Logan Square Community Book Exchange," and usually has a steady supply of surplus books available for anyone who is interested.  The book exchange has been a success and has even spawned the Logan Square Video Exchange.   We could easily see this working in Browne's Addition somewhere near the roundabout.

• Logan Square Chicago - Neighborhood free book exchange [Chicago Reader]
• The Robin Hood Librarian [Chicago Public Radio]