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:
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.
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 2024 Annual Report for the West Quadrant TIF is now available online. This report is more in-depth than in past years—it provides a significant amount of detail as to the history of the TIF, how TIF works, the past performance of the fund, and expected future revenues for each of the three focus areas (Kendall Yards, Neighborhoods, County Courthouse Campus). Also included is a complete list of all past projects considered for TIF funding. Questions on the report should be directed to the staff contact at right.
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.
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:
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.
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 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.
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:
The Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee recently recommended that the City Council approve funding for the following projects:
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.
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.
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 $190,000. The Spokane City Council is expected to consider approving the funds soon.
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.
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.
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.
City Liaison
Kevin Freibott
Senior Planner
509.625.6184
kfreibott@spokanecity.org
Planning & Economic Development Department
Economic Development Team
509.625.6500
incentives@spokanecity.org
