Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, 509.625.6226
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 10:52 a.m.
During Monday’s Legislative Session, the City Council voted 5-2 on resolution 2025-0031 authorizing the relocation of the John R. Monaghan Monument from the city's public right-of-way. This comes after community engagement and a recent prioritization of street safety enhancements to improve protections for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially in downtown Spokane.
“I am grateful that the family and community have reached an agreement,” said Council President Betsy Wilkerson, co-sponsor of the resolution. “Most importantly, we acknowledge our shared history from different perspectives, without erasing anyone's story.”
City staff have been communicating with members of the Monaghan family, resulting in a shared commitment to relocate the Monaghan Monument. The Fairmount Memorial Association has agreed to accept its relocation.
“While discussions about the Monaghan monument began before I joined the council, I was pleased to co-sponsor this resolution, which promotes new and safe traffic designs to accommodate all modes of transportation,” said Council Member Kitty Klitzke, co-sponsor of the resolution.
John R. Monaghan was a member of Gonzaga University's first graduating class and the first person from Washington state to attend the United States Naval Academy. He died while serving as an officer aboard the U.S.S. Philadelphia during the Second Samoan Civil War. However, the language used in the monument's dedication no longer aligns with today's values and beliefs.
“I want to thank the work of the Spokane Human Rights Commission, residents, and city staff for how they thoughtfully engaged in this multi-year effort,” said Council Member Paul Dillon. “It is imperative that we listen to impacted communities and follow their lead by taking steps to right historical wrongs.”
About the Spokane City Council
The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Spokane, which is home to more than 229,000 people and is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. The City’s 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. For more information, visit SpokaneCity.org/CityCouncil/ and follow us @SpokaneCityCouncil on Facebook.
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