West Quadrant Tax Increment Finance District

The West Quadrant Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District is funding mechanism designed to help fund public infrastructure improvements in the District. Examples of public improvements the TIF can fund include:

  • Street and Road Improvements (street furniture, signage, traffic signals, sidewalks, street trees, etc.)
  • Water System Improvements
  • Sewer System Improvements
  • Park Improvements
  • Storm Water and Drainage Management System Improvements
  • Other Public Improvements (PDF 188 KB)
  • Permanently Affordable Housing (see RCW 39.89.020)

What is a Tax Increment Finance District?

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a funding mechanism used by local governments to finance public infrastructure and help incentivize economic development and redevelopment of blighted neighborhoods. The establishment and use of TIF is authorized under State Law – RCW 39.89 “Community Revitalization Financing Act”. Individual TIF districts (such as the West Quadrant Tax Increment District) are created by ordinance of the local jurisdiction concurrently with other regular taxing districts. The West Quadrant TIF Ordinance was adopted by the City Council on May 14, 2007 and amended on Oct. 26, 2020.

Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee (NPAC)

In order to coordinate and prioritize projects to be funded by the “neighborhood project” portion of the TIF, the City Council created the Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee, a mayor-appointed body of local residents and experienced individuals who evaluate and recommend projects. Each year they publish an annual report detailing the growth of the TIF and any projects that were funded that year. The 2023 report is due to be issued soon. A link will be provided on this page when it is available.

Requests for Funding from the TIF

If you know of a public improvement within the TIF district, or would like to request funding from the TIF for a public improvement, please contact Kevin Freibott at kfreibott@spokanecity.org.

About Us

Vision: To stimulate economic activity by investing in neighborhood improvements that activate private development and increase the fair market value of real property within the West Quadrant Increment Area (see the map below).

Mission: Invest in public infrastructure efforts to create neighborhoods that attract new businesses and revitalize neighborhoods.

Guiding Principles:

  • Conduct public participation and outreach programs to implement neighborhood public investment and encourage private development
  • Strategically plan funding matches , project partners, and incentive programs
  • Implement neighborhood public investment to be consistent with Countywide Planning Policies, the City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan, and development regulation under the Growth Management Act

Partnerships

City of Spokane
Spokane Parks Department

http://www.spokaneparks.org

Spokane County

As a major property owner and operator within the West Quadrant TIF district, certain improvements to Spokane County owned properties (“County Public Improvements”) are funded through tax increment financing funds. Development projects are directed and constructed under the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and the County. For questions on these County-led projects, please contact the County Department of Building and Planning.

WQTIF NPAC

The West Quadrant Tax Increment Financing Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee is an official committee of the City, meant to provide oversight and direction with respect to the financing, construction, and priority of neighborhood public improvements.

Authorized by Ordinance No. C-34032 on May 14, 2007

Mission Statement/Purpose: To assist the City of Spokane in prioritizing neighborhood public improvements in the neighborhood areas that surrounds Kendall Yards Development.

KENDALL YARDS

Kendall Yards is a planned community encompassing approximately 78 acres of land on the north bank of the Spokane River. The two areas of development include the mixed use area between Monroe and Maple Streets and the primarily residential area west of Maple Street. The Centennial Trail extends along the south boundary the entire length of the project.

Visit the Kendall Yards project page for more information.

Future Projects

The West Quadrant TIF can fund a large range of public improvements within the district. Project funds are divided into three areas – the “Kendall Yards” public improvements, the “neighborhood public improvements,” and the “County public improvements.” For questions on the “neighborhood projects” please contact the staff member listed at right.

While the original TIF included a number of project areas where the funds would be focused, amendments made to the TIF in 2020 allow the neighborhood funds to provide funding to any project outside Kendall Yards that meets the definition of Public Improvements. Under state regulations, the following types of projects can be funded by the West Quadrant TIF:

  • Street and road construction and maintenance
  • Water and sewer system construction and maintenance
  • Sidewalks and streetlights
  • Parking, terminal, and dock facilities
  • Park and ride facilities of a transit authority
  • Park facilities and recreational areas
  • Stormwater and drainage management systems, and
  • Permanently affordable housing.

Current Projects

The Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee recently recommended that the City Council approve funding for the following projects:

Habitat for Humanity/A Better Way Affordable Housing

Habitat for Humanity has entered into a contract with the City of Spokane whereby Habitat for Humanity will purchase one or more homes in West Central for renovation and update and the City will provide a maximum of $500,000 in TIF funds (combined) to help defray the purchase costs. These homes will be updated by Habitat for Humanity into Permanently Affordable Housing.

West Central Infrastructure Project

Following a proposal by REACH West Central and the West Central Neighborhood Council, the TIF was authorized to provide up to $300,000 for a study that intends to identify and rank public infrastructure projects within the West Central neighborhood portion of the TIF. View the project website for more information.

NATIVE Project

The NATIVE Project in West Central has requested TIF funds to pay for public improvements to the frontage and utilities serving their upcoming new Children and Youth Behavioral Health facility on Maxwell Avenue. The NPAC has voted to recommend the proposal for up to $102,000. The Spokane City Council is expected to consider approving the funds soon.

Completed Projects

Riverfront Park North Pedestrian Bridge

Following sudden and unexpected deterioration of the north span of the pedestrian bridge in Riverfront Park, the TIF would fund $500,000 of the emergency repairs and reconditioning of that bridge and its trails and utility connections. The City Council approved the use of the TIF funds for this project on June 17, 2019. View project report.

Dutch Jake’s Park Update

The TIF would fund streetscape and pedestrian amenities along the eastern and northern border of Dutch Jake’s Park, as part of an overall update to the park underway by the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. The City Council approved the use of $77,000 in TIF funds for this project on June 17, 2019. View project report.

Centennial Trail Connection

A trail connection has been made under the Monroe Street Bridge for non-motorized vehicle and pedestrian use. The Centennial Trail is an ADA accessible and Class 1 trail separated from motorized traffic connecting key areas in the Spokane area.

Centenial Trail Connection - before and after

Maps

West Quadrant Tax Increment Financing District Map

Contact Information

City Liaison
Kevin Freibott
Senior Planner
509.625.6184
kfreibott@spokanecity.org

Economic Development
Teri Stripes
Principal Planner
509.625.6597
tstripes@spokanecity.org

Related Links