Projects

Downtown Plan Update

Announcements

City Council Public Hearing

Public Hearing Notice (PDF 289 KB)
Advance Agenda: Monday, July 12 at 3:30 p.m.
First Reading: Monday, July 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Legislative Session: Monday, July 26 at 6:00 p.m.

What's Happening Now

Downtown is the city and region's center, home to the largest employment area and assets such as Riverfront Park, the financial district, major retail, historic urban core, and portions of the growing university and medical districts. With the area boasting millions in recent investments and new prospects for residents, shopping, and entertainment, the City of Spokane is working with Downtown Spokane Partnership and its consultant, Framework, in a public engagement process that will update the City's existing Downtown plan. The effort will join the community’s vision to guide development, design, and regulatory recommendations for the future with major new efforts like the Central City Line.

On May 12, 2021, the City Plan Commission recommended approval of the new plan, with a modification to add two new actions: one related to police presence Downtown, and another related to monitoring housing and shelter for low-income residents and residents experiencing homelessness. The City Council will consider the recommendation following the public hearing scheduled July 26.

To find information about the draft plan and give your feedback, please see the following links.

Plan Commission Hearing - 05/12/2021 (1.5 hours)
Virtual Open House Video - 03/16/2021 (2 hours)
Video presentation to City Plan Commission Workshop – 1/27/2021 (20 minutes)
Share suggestions at Framework’s project web page for the plan

Proposal and Timeline

The new plan will fully update and replace the City's existing plan for Downtown, the Fast Forward Spokane Downtown Plan Update (2008). The existing plan is a subarea plan of the Comprehensive Plan. The City adopted the existing plan as a work in progress, with an intent to update it after about ten years. The updated plan is expected to result in a series of recommended actions and guide new improvements for the next ten years.

The team's consultant, Framework, led the initial public engagement effort through 2020. This effort will reach a broad segment of the community and target identified groups who participate in city life Downtown, such as residents, business owners, organizations, and employees. See the proposed timeline in the following graphic.