Shae Blackwell, Legislative Assistant, sblackwell@spokanecity.org
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 8:27 a.m.
The Spokane City Council voted unanimously (7-0) to approve Resolution 2023-0050 in response to concerns raised by Logan neighborhood residents related to municipal operation impacts which are occurring adjacent to the City of Spokane’s Water Department on North Foothills Drive. The Resolution, authored by Council Member Michael Cathcart and co-sponsored by Council Member Jonathan Bingle, recognizes that the Water Department has owned and operated out of this site since at least 1900; however, the recent redevelopment of the area has impacted nearby neighbors and students.
“I want to express my deep appreciation to the proactive and engaged neighbors near Yasuhara Middle School in the Logan neighborhood who worked to bring these concerns to our attention,” said Council Member Michael Cathcart. “The Water Department's operations' impact has been heard loud and clear. I am committed to addressing these issues to improve livability and safety and recognize the revitalization and activation brought to the area by the new middle school and housing units. Together, we will quickly work towards finding a more suitable location for these dirt stockpiles and screening operations while also addressing the lack of pedestrian facilities in the area. My commitment to enhancing Northeast neighborhoods remains unwavering.”
The Water Department transferred property on the east side of the site to Spokane Public Schools for a new middle school, and in a similar time frame, the City also sold another portion of the Water Department site to Catholic Charities for the construction of 72 affordable housing units. The sale of this property also required the construction of a new employee parking area on the site. These changes led to the relocation of dirt stockpiles—from repairs done on the water system—to a location along Marietta Avenue that is more visible than before.
“Livability in our Northeast neighborhoods is critical to our city's health and wellbeing. City services and operations must exist in a fair and harmonious way to the day-to-day activity in residential neighborhoods," said Council Member Jonathan Bingle.
City employees haul material to the site to be screened and reused for future repairs, and some work occurs in late night or early morning hours because it often stems from the need for emergency work to repair main breaks. Logan neighborhood residents have experienced the negative impacts of these relocated operations, including noise, dust, and aesthetic issues. In addition, the lack of pedestrian facilities connected to City-owned property in the neighborhood has furthered neighbors' frustrations with the site. Council Member Cathcart concludes, “I am grateful to our Public Works Division leadership for their willingness to partner on identifying a positive outcome for everyone. There is little disagreement that existing habitability can be improved and a better site for these activities exists.”
The Council Resolution sets a timeline for the Public Works Division to develop a relocation plan for the large dirt stockpiles and screening operations by September 2023 and intends to create more pedestrian accessibility on City-owned property for students and neighborhood residents.
