MetroSpokane

Question: Gas prices have you second-guessing yet?

[Photo courtesy of the Bicyclists next to Gas Stations pool on Flickr]

We're curious:  Where are you at with this whole gas price thing?  Low prices for Regular gas are hovering around $3.45 while Premium is upwards of $3.89.  So the question is, have prices hit a point where it's changing your behavior or approach towards driving in any way?  Seeking alternatives?  Driving less? Carpooling?  Transit? Cutting back elsewhere, but driving the same?  If not, what level do prices have to reach to begin to affect your current routine?  Complete the poll and leave your comments below.

Get yer bike plan on

Twenty years have passed Spokane's Master Bicycle Plan was last updated, and to celebrate it's getting a fresh look and an update.  Over the next couple of weeks there will be a few meetings for you to provide your input and discuss issues.  If you can't quite make the meeting you're still able to provide comments through Spokane's 2008 Online Bike Plan Survey. 

• Master Bike Plan & supporting documents [Website]
• Three Open Houses to get input on Bike Plan [Press Release-pdf]

Public Meeting Details:

• Tuesday, April 22, Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave,
  6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
• Thursday, April 24, West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt,
  7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
• Tuesday, April 29, Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook,
  6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

 

'SLIP' to train 'green' lenders

[photo courtesey of Jeremey Brooks via Flickr]

Sometimes being 'sustainable' means getting others to buy into your vision.  More often than not incorporating sustainable practices into your business plan isn't the first thought to come to your mind especially if your a small business.  Realizing this SLIP (Sustainable Local Investments Project) is offering free one-day training to lenders and other community development professionals. 

The idea is to show how lenders viewing projects and proposals with a view towards sustainability can help smaller businesses prosper while developing our region's long-term livability.

• Spokane sustainability group to train lenders in “green” development [Ecology - press release]

Details:

• Time:  11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• When:  Monday, April 21
• Where:  Avista technical training center -  E. 1411 Mission Ave.

William McDonough on Mobius

We stopped off at the celebration for the fund raising milestone set by for the Mobius Science Center.  On his way to speak at Boise State University's Distinguished Lecture Series, William McDonough dropped by the celebration to say a few words about our center.  Mostly he delivered on his message of sustainability and the current state of the environment and world economy; an abridged version of a presentation he gave at TED some time back.  We could go on, but for a better understanding of his message (you'll better understand the correlation to the Mobius Science Center) watch the edited and abridged version of his TED presentation on YouTube above.  It's worth it.

Browne's Addition hole endangered; enter The Loveland Building

BROWNE'S ADDITION - It's been some time since we checked in on the Browne's Addition hole.  Located next to Cabin Coffee and The Elk, the empty foundation sat idle and open for a number of years and was finally sealed up last year.  Briefly an MLS listing popped up two years ago asking $1.6 million for a three story mixed use development, but that went away after a few months and little has been heard. 

Fast forward to today and word is that the project is back on and will be called the Loveland Building.  It'll be appropriately mixed-use likely sporting retail on the ground floor with residential up.  The rendering above is from the previous MLS listing oh-so-long-ago.  If true, regardless of how it looks it promises to add some commercial zest and desirable infill to the Browne's Addition nabe.

• Browne's Addition Hole - [GMAP]
  

Breaking: Burgan's Furniture Block Sold

Breaking news people:  The Spokesman Review is reporting that the Burgans' Block, that amazing collection of early 20th century warehouse buildings between Ruby and Division on Desmet has sold to a 'mystery buyer'.  Given the dramatic changes of the area brought on by Gonzaga's investment of millions in residential development nearby this was bound to happen.  Add to it their recent purchase and rehab of the Fuller Building across Ruby and this place is on it's way.  Next up:  Ye Old CompUSA, and the mill buildings. Dibs on the huge F-U-R-N-I-T-U-R-E sign.

• Touching Base:  Kennedy Anchors Ruby [MetroSpokane]
• Touching Base:  Fuller Academic Center gets glassy [MetroSpokane]
• 44 E Desmet [GMAP]

MetroSpokane Inbox: Spokane River Forum

Via the MetroSpokane inbox, a tipster dropped us line that The Spokane River Forum website is up and running.  It's a new organization to us, but we're waaaaaay impressed with their Mission:

The Spokane River Forum serves as a clearinghouse and information exchange for all things Spokane River.

Even more impressive is the event they're staging this Summer to raise awareness of the role the Spokane river plays in our lives:  A 120 mile journey from Lake Coeur d'Alene to the Upper Columbia River over two, three-day periods.  The first is June 13th - 15th and the second is June 20th - 23rd.  Registration closes on May 2nd for this event and we have a sense it'll fill up rapidly.  Oh, and while you're at it feel free to join the organization.

• Spokane River Forum [website]
• I love the Spokane River Raft and Paddle Expedition [pdf - map]

Bring back the Soap Box Derby

[Image courtesy of the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby]
Years back Spokane had a pretty cool event that for whatever reason slipped away.  For years, the soap box derby used to occur on the Post Street hill just below the Garland District.  A recent article in the Spokesman highlighted that the event was first held on the hill with the opening of the Benewah Dairy Milk Bottle in the Garland District in 1935.

WSU-Spokane Pine Street Development RFQ: See for yourself...

If you're still interested in submitting a proposal for your vision of the Pine Street Property on the Riverpoint Campus you better get a move on.  The RFQ deadline is this Thursday, April 17th at 2PM.  Remember, we want mixed use and urban.  Keep the office parks away.  If you don't plan on submitting but are just curious about the details of the RFQ then by all means download the pdf below.

• WSU Spokane - Pine Street Development  RFQ (1557.8K) [pdf]
• Touching Base:  Nursing Building-Bricks and Glass do mix [MetroSpokane]

Spokane Raceway Park - not quite a fiasco...

Better than a made-for-TV movie the drama surrounding Spokane Raceway Park continues to build.  It's unclear what the fallout will be now that the Spokesman Review revealed the private investor who was hopelessly bidding for Spokane Raceway Park against the County, is really kind of ticked off about the whole thing.  And the word is he had plans for NASCAR.