MetroSpokane

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]

Fast Forward...Downtown - Tonight

So you've ranted and raved here over the past three years about a wide variety of topics.  It's been good...real good.  And a large portion of text here has been dedicated towards downtown Spokane with all it's wins and losses. 

Well tonight is your chance to give some input that might translate into action as the City of Spokane looks to be updating it's plan for downtown.  Bring all your ideas no matter how outlandish.  Think a gondola should connect Browne's Addition to the future Kendall Yards?  Throw it out there.  It's only three hours people so show some love for your city.  Opportunities like this don't come around very often, and there'll be loads of free parking. :^p

Details, details, details:

• COMMUNITY WORKSHOP
• Thursday, November 29, 2007
• 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
• South Campus Facility Court (next to the Bookie), 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd. in the University District.

Mastering Density - Do you know what density looks like?

The topic of development density is a hot one in our region right now and will continue to be well into the foreseeable future.  Just look east towards the Spokane Valley where the gloves are off and where the topic looks to be a deciding factor in the November elections.  There's no doubt that higher densities can provide a whole slew of benefits to urban centers like our own (diffusing infrastructure costs, improved returns on transit, etc.).  However providing a mix of densities can serve to provide residents a balance in housing options, while at the same time meeting affordability needs.  In our opinion it makes for a more interesting city as well.

Famous Spokanites: Chuck Jones

So what do Pepé LePew, Wile E. Coyote, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Tom 'n' Jerry, and The Grinch all have in common?  They were all characters Chuck Jones worked with in productions he either wrote, produced or directed during his extensive career in animation.  The first two, Pepé LePew and Wile E. Coyote are characters he actually created along with the Road Runner.  What does Chuck Jones have to do with Spokane?

An idea to copy: Artist Relocation Program

If you're an artist, there's a chance you've heard of Paducah, Kentucky.  If not, you should.  The city of Paducah implemented a fantastic incentive program back in 2000 called the Artist Relocation Program, and placed the arts at the center of their economic development strategy.  The impact arts have on the local economy cannot be understated.  In fact EWU just completed an analysis of the fiscal impact the arts have on Spokane's economy.  But Paducah's approach is really quite unique and one we should bring to town.

Big-Box lessons from Bozeman...

During a recent stop in Bozeman on the way to Billings, MT last week it became clear that not all big-box stores are created equal.  In Spokane and surrounding environs, the typical blah cinder-block wonder under an acre of roof is where we've set the bar.  It's no wonder that the Home Depots in North Spokane and East Sprague in the City of Spokane Valley look remarkably similar.  Set low expectations (all of North Division, the 'Y', and East Sprague), and you'll rarely exceed them. 

According to Bob Gibbs of Gibbs Planning Group, when a big-box developer comes to town they generally have four designs (A,B,C, and D) ranging from unique (or sensitive to local character) to Anywhere, USA, and they are ready to build one of those.  Which one gets built depends heavily upon how much push back the company receives from local residents and officials about design and it's importance.  Retail Consultant Bob Gibbs says as much:  “Cities need to have high design standards for signage, lighting and building design and be willing to enforce those standards,” says Gibbs."

Why the Great Spokane River Gorge Park Plan will save Highbridge Park...

One big event last week was the news that the Friends of the Falls has met its funding goals for the whitewater park - a key priority of the Great Spokane River Gorge Plan (table of contents - pdf 3.3 mb).  For all the obvious reasons (final design, permitting, construction of the park) we're thrilled about this huge milestone.  Everyone knows that city planning often gets a bad rap when plans go unfulfilled.  Implementation, friends, is what it's all about and this should be suh-weet sound to our city's residents.  According to a quote from Steve Faust - Director of Friends of the Falls:

“Given the time needed to permit the project, we expect to begin construction of the whitewater features and support facilities no earlier than May 2008, with project completion in October 2008”

New Ruralism in Spokane?

[Photo courtesy Austinspace]

Question:  Any idea where the closest agricultural land is in relation to downtown Spokane (answer at the end of the post)?

There's a good chance you're familiar with New Urbanism as a concept (if not check out New Urbanism here).  A new movement hoping to strengthen the ties between cities and farms is called New Ruralism.  The concept is to blend sustainable agriculture with smart growth policies and it's something that is catching on all over the country.  In some places, people are paying dearly for homes in new ruralism-type developments.

Best site for a year-round farmers' market...

An article in last week's Spokesman-Review mulls a number of potential sites for a new year-round farmer's market.  An interesting list it was: Jensen-Byrd Building, Old Costco Building, the Crescent Services Building, and the Goodyear Tire & Repair shop on Main & Browne.  Not bad.  But we wondered why a permanent location had to be downtown?  Might a more affordable location that is just as accessible, but located outside of the core be possible?  We think so. 

And with that we give you our top candidate as a location for Spokane's year round farmers market:

Rule #2: Make the building front permeable

Spaces work best when there is a connection between a building's inside and outside.  City Comforts Rule #2 addresses this:  Make the building front permeable (pdf).  Think about some of downtown's most pleasant buildings and you can be certain that they provide such a connection.  The people inside are visible to the people outside and vice-versa.  For a moment consider Bistango, Mizuna, West First, the new Davenport Tower, or Aunties Bookstore - all are designed to provide connectivity, and therefore interaction, between spaces.  They're also nice places to stroll.