Jacqueline Churchill-Johnsen, Planner I, 509.625.6500
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 11:53 a.m.
Figure 1: An artistic rendering of The YARD with one million square feet of new development from the 2017 YARD Redevelopment Master Plan
The City of Spokane Planning Department, along with consultant Stantec and the Northeast Public Development Authority (NEPDA), continues to work on the Hillyard Subarea Plan.
Much of the current work is occurring “behind the screens” as data has been analyzed to create a needs assessment and existing conditions reports that have informed the development of the Urban Framework and Catalyst Site Planning documents.
These components are integral to the Subarea Plan as they inform the policy recommendations that will be in the final Plan Document.
The Urban Framework Plan is a concept document that illustrates possible redevelopment sites, improvements to the streetscape, and potential future amenities such as parks and new sidewalks. Similarly, the Catalyst Site document provides detailed conceptual plans for specific sites in Hillyard that have the potential to spur greater neighborhood growth and development.
Both documents are meant to show community members and potential developers only what will be possible once the Subarea Plan has been adopted. Paired with ongoing planning projects and recent Building Opportunity for Housing, reforms to housing regulations may help to encourage the development of attainable housing options for community members.
In order to make the concepts in the Urban Framework and Catalyst Site documents possible, draft policy recommendations may include land-use changes within the plan area, most notably along the Wellesley corridor east of Freya. Proposed changes are intended to promote additional commercial and residential uses while supporting the existing uses and facilities.
Our consultants are also beginning to work on compiling funding strategies and continue to analyze various neighborhood needs, including amenities and open space, utilities and transportation. The funding strategies document will provide an in-depth analysis of possible financing sources that can be used for future investment in the neighborhood.
These myriad reports will ultimately be combined into the final Hillyard Subarea Plan document and will include implementation strategies to facilitate the intended outcomes. Planners hope to increase private investment and inspire real change within the Hillyard Neighborhood that residents want to see.
The Planning Department is anticipating City Council adoption later this year.
