The West Quadrant Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District is funding mechanism designed to help fund a series of public infrastructure improvements in the District. These projects have been selected in order to stimulate economic development in the area. 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.
In order to coordinate and recommend 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 2019 Annual Report is available online. The NPAC will begin preparing the 2020 report soon.
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 in part through tax increment financing funds. Development projects are directed and constructed under the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and the County.
The West Quadrant Tax Increment Financing Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee is a group meant to provide oversight and direction with respect to the financing, construction, and priority of neighborhood public improvements.
Authorized by and Date: 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 Kendal 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
The TIF describes several projects and targeted areas that can be funded by the TIF. These project areas 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 contact at right.
The Neighborhood Public Improvements include the following general projects:
Streetscapes, Intersection, and Infrastructure Improvements
Intersection Improvements
Streetscape and Infrastructure Improvements
Infrastructure and Streetscape Improvements
Infrastructure and Streetscape Improvements
In 2019, the Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee (NPAC) was asked to consider funds from the TIF to pay for sewer and water infrastructure to serve the future Sportsplex Project (now known as “The Podium”). The NPAC voted to approve the funds on the condition that City finance develop a plan for payment, as there were insufficient funds to pay the entire cost up front. At this time the City Council has not yet held a hearing on the project’s TIF funding and the funding is considered On Hold.
The Neighborhood Project Advisory Committee recently recommended that the City Council approve funding for the following 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.
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.
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.
Kevin Freibott
Assistant Planner II
509.625.6184
kfreibott@spokanecity.org