Ben Stuckart, City Council President, No Phone Number Available
Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 11 a.m.
The East University District has been selected as the City Council's target area to pilot Operation Targeted and Concentrated Investment (OTCI). The goal of this project is to demonstrate that targeted investment of public dollars for housing, street and utility infrastructure, public safety and other efforts can lead to increased private investment and measurable, long-term economic vitality for Spokane neighborhoods.
The three-phase selection process for the pilot area began seven months ago and included collection and review of demographic and real estate data for various Centers and Corridors within the city limits. After this analysis, the target areas were narrowed down to the West Broadway/West Central area and the East University District.
The data research and stakeholder interviews showed the challenges and strengths of both the West Central Neighborhood and the East University District. The association of the East Spokane Business Association with the East Central Neighborhood Council, as well as the work that has already been done to implement the International District Plan supports the selection of this corridor for piloting the targeted investment effort.
Funding for the project will come from a variety of sources including utility capital funds, the City's Transportation Benefit District, Community Development Block Grant dollars, housing funds and Photo Red traffic calming funds. A task force of key neighborhood, financial and business stakeholders is being established to work with the City on implementing this pilot project. The first task force meeting is scheduled for January.
