My what a difference a year can make. Last year we held our first ever "Spokane's Best Vacant Lots". The overwhelming popularity (not really) convinced us we had to bring it back for a fun-filled second year.
This year we've changed two of the criteria. Like all good empty-nesters know, small is the new big. So accordingly we've downsized our acreage requirement to 'less than one acre'. We've also added in a new twist just for this year: The lots we nominate are located on prominent corners only.
Once again, here are the criteria we've used:
- The lot(s) must have been vacant for at least 5 years
- The lot(s) must exist within Spokane's urban core or adjacent to it
- The lot(s) must be less than 1 acre
- The lot(s) must occupy a prominent corner
And with that we give you our top three in no particular order...we'll let you decide.
E. Riverside Ave & N. Division St.
Let's face it, the east-end is absolutely littered with premium vacant lots. Tops on our list though has to be a collection of lots owned by the same guy that owns the mill we mentioned a couple of weeks back. At around 33,000 sqf this could literally be the missing link connecting the higher education development to the east and the central business district. Once the Riverside extension is in place much of the traffic now awkwardly forced onto East Spokane Falls Blvd via Main Ave will be routed here. Some high quality office/retail/residential would greet irritated drivers on Division and give a nod to students late for class.
W. Bridge Avenue & N. Monroe Street
Kendall Yards is within our grasp. Creating an uninterrupted pedestrian link between downtown and the project is crucial. This collection of Expo '74 era, park-owned parcels could be the key to accomplishing just that. Talk of this site for a farmer's market has been quite of late, but sandwiched between a future billion $+ investment to the west, the river falls to the south and a revitalizing central business district to the east...'Nuff said.
W. Sunset Blvd & W. 2nd Avenue
Things in Browne's Addition these days are looking up. Condos are popping up in every vacant lot available. No buildable land? A few passes with a bulldozer and 'presto', that once historic building will trouble you no more. Sarcasm aside, there exists a premium opportunity in the vast parking lot of Rosauer's Grocery, that we doubt is on anyone's radar. This lot is a beauty and is horribly underutilzed as a parking area. It has huge frontage on both a major arterial and a neighborhood street. And talk about gateways, that corner could become the gateway that Browne's Addition deserves. A three to four story mixed-use building could fit nicely and still provide parking for both the grocery and new retail/office/residential tenants.
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