MetroSpokane

Mohawk completely gone-surface parking finally within our grasp

Rookery watchers will have absolutely nothing to do from here on out.  Last time we checked, all traces of the buildings formerly known as the Rookery Block are completely gone.  As lame as it is, the new views made us pause for a moment.  Soon enough the demolition fences will be down which could only mean:  surface parking like-you-would-not-believe.  We know you'll miss the updates.

Ciclovia Spokane: Pick yer own route...

Ciclovia Spokane Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

The Ciclovia Spokane Map can be found at:  http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ciclovia-Spokane

After posting the idea of a Ciclovia Spokane event, and reading the resulting comments, we thought we'd take a stab at drawing our own route.  Taking a cue from the most excellent cyclingspokane.blogspot.com bike commuting routes, we created a public map on Bikely.com named Ciclovia Spokane (look up).

Browne's Addition: Condos & Historic Home face off on Riverside Ave.

Aside from the Riverside & Peaceful Valley neighborhoods, Browne's Addition has probably undergone the most dramatic changes in the past few years.  Two big, pricey condos - all the rage along Riverside Avenue in Browne's Addition - are going head-to-head with one high-end historic home.

Big Brother is watching...

If you're using at least Internet Explorer 5.0 take a visit over to camerawebpage.com.  For whatever reason, Toshiba has mounted video cameras on a building near downtown Spokane.  All are accessible via the comfort of you're home/office/etc. and provide for some serious time killing...on your lunch hour of course.  The screen-grab above was taken from one of the cams.

Kendall Yards - Dirt Begins Moving on Monday

"It's kind of like preparing to swim the English Channel. We've planned and we've prepared, but today we're jumping in, and now we have to swim this mother."

Marshall Chesrown on what starting the construction phase of a project the size of Kendall Yards is like.

Yesterday the formal ground breaking for Kendall Yards took place and if you missed it, you missed a good one.  Hundreds of people braved crossing Monroe Street at Ide Avenue and gathered around the massive white tent.  Outside, renderings of the development, including some new views of the Phase 1 portion of the project (Monroe to Maple).

Best Cities for Relocating Families - Spokane hits top 10

And the rankings continue to pour in from all ends of the earth.  If you haven't tired of these faux news pieces, according to a study by Worldwide ERC and Primacy Relocation, relocating families would be wise to consider Spokane.  They feel so strongly that they put us up at number 9 on the list.

Ground breaking in a big way at Kendall Yards Site

Per the Friends of the Falls Site, it appears that Black Rock Development will be having a ground-breaking ceremony today for Kendall Yards.  Considering the heavy equipment they have sitting on site, the big white tent, and the trees, they may be bypassing the golden shovels and construction hats for something with a little more umph!  Nothing like a Komatsu Crawler Excavator or a bulldozer to get the blood flowing.  Let the fun begin.

Thoughts on Ciclovia Spokane...

[Photo thanks to akira1975]

While biking in Spokane can be a daunting task for the average Spokanite, it's not impossible.  In fact, we've been impressed by the sheer numbers of bicyclists we've seen this week commuting to work and back home.  We're not sure if it's just because we've been paying closer attention to the fact that it's National Bike To Work Week, or rather that the number of bike-commuters are truly up from previous years.

Trend Alert: Medical Advertecture spreads to the South Hill

Once confined to the western wall of the Deaconess parking garage flanking I-90, new medical advertecture has been spotted at the base of the Grand Ave. Hill.  The massive banner was unfurled sometime last week to mark P.A.M.L.'s 50th anniversary.  Stunned and confused, commuters were heard remarking, "What the hell does PAML mean anyway."

Now with election season upon us we're giddy with the thought of campaigning opportunities on the sides of St. John's cathedral.

Historic Home Tour - Mediterranean-style

With the weather likely to cooperate this weekend, why not hit the MAC's Historic Home Tour with dear ol' mom?  Temps in the mid 70s and a nice breeze are certain to compliment the Mediterranean-style homes that make up the tour this year.  Self-guided as always, this tour should take no more 2 hours if you're well organized and stay - focused.

C'mon...do it for Mom.

WHEN:  Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13, Noon to 4 p.m.
COST:  $10-members/$15-NON-members
TICKETS:  Tickets are available at the MAC, 2316 West First Avenue - Or on the tour at 703 W. Shoshone Place