Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, lgardner@spokanecity.org
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 2 p.m.
During a special legislative session, Spokane City Council voted 6-1 to approve the proposed purchase of a Community Safety Campus. The Brown administration is proposing the creation of this campus to consolidate various functions and serve as a central hub at the Rock Pointe East Building on Boone. This hub will allow community members to easily access court obligations and essential stabilizing services.
"We are currently in a due diligence period, but if we determine the building meets our needs through this process, it will be a sound financial investment for the City and taxpayers,” said Mayor Lisa Brown. “Owning rather than continuing to lease space will save taxpayer dollars over the long-term, while also creating greater operational efficiency and a safer environment for staff and those navigating the court system.”
The City of Spokane currently leases space from Spokane County across three facilities for court and police operations. The city faces rising costs for building maintenance and upgrades. The leases cost about $1.2 million annually, with an additional $10 million expected for upgrades to comply with the Clean Buildings Act over the next several years. Consolidating community safety operations into a single, city-owned facility could yield significant long-term savings for taxpayers. Additionally, Community Court operates out of the Central Library on Mondays. While this location provides excellent access for participants, it also carries financial implications for the library.
"This has been a long time coming and is a critical need," said Council President Betsy Wilkerson. "The City’s goal is to consolidate safety and services for our community while maximizing resources and amenities for our officers and court staff. This will ultimately save time and money. Additionally, this purchase offers an opportunity to integrate public safety and the courts rather than keeping them separate. This collaboration will support our overall mission to serve the people of Spokane."
The City is considering a phased approach for enhancing public safety services.
Phase 1: This phase focuses on co-locating existing public safety departments and services within the City of Spokane. Benefits include financial savings from reduced lease costs, improved facilities, and enhanced coordination for staff and individuals navigating the system.
Phase 2: This phase aims to strengthen and coordinate the City of Spokane’s system of care and response. Benefits include continued integration with public health and behavioral health providers and the establishment of a “navigation center” for justice-involved individuals and their families.
With the City Council’s approval of the purchase agreement, the Brown Administration can proceed with the due diligence period. Assuming there are no unforeseen issues with the property, the purchase can be finalized without further approval from the City Council. The purchase is expected to be completed as early as January 2027.
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