Jacqueline Churchill-Johnsen, Planner I, 509.625.6986
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 4:50 p.m.
City planners Ryan Shea and Jackie Churchill, along with Northeast Public Development Authority Director Jesse Bank, recently spoke to students at Rogers High School to about the City’s Hillyard Subarea Plan.
The presentation was at the request of English teachers Kelly Diamond and Kendra Egly, who wanted to get their students involved with real-world planning issues and acquaint them with local government processes for planning and public engagement.
Prior to the visit, the students researched past planning efforts in the Hillyard area and filled out the Hillyard Subarea Plan survey that has now concluded.
The goal of the survey was to gather information about community members’ perceptions of Hillyard - their likes, concerns, and desires for the future of their community. Although Rogers High School is located outside of the focus area, many of the students live in Hillyard or visit on a regular basis. The students provided valuable feedback regarding their concerns and desires for the area. Their thoughtfulness and engagement were impactful.
Topics of concern included the lack of walkability/bike-ability due to blocked sidewalks and fast moving traffic as well as safety in the parks and business areas.
Topics of desire included more parks and park improvements such as better lighting and more fields for specific sports (pickleball wasn’t mentioned) and park maintenance. The students also expressed a wish for more retail stores that are geared toward younger people, more cafes, and more entertainment options.
The planners enjoyed learning more about the viewpoints and desires of our community’s youth. Their perspective is frequently missed through standard surveys or open house events. These students truly are the future of Spokane, and this was a great opportunity to involve them in shaping the future of their community.
