Four the future - December 19

Today: Mobius moving, Downtown improving, parking editorial, and another auto-pedestrian victim (or two)

• Science center won’t be in Riverfront Park
  Source: Spokesman, 091219
  Summary: Mobius will be building the science center in phases and is looking for a building to put it in. Spokane Park Board members on both sides of the recent contract dispute with Mobius think it's a good idea.
  Opinion: There is a serious disconnect between Riverfront Park and its northern neighbors. There needs to be a transitional use of some kind, and it needs to be capable of drawing crowds. I encourage the park board to look for ways to increase the number of activity spaces (not mere open space, there is plenty of that) in Riverfront Park.


• Spokane primed for more growth
  Source: Spokesman, 091219
  Summary: Daniel Iacofano is a principal at MIG, Inc., and helped work on the downtown Spokane plans of 1999 and 2008. In this opinion piece, he says that great progress has been made in terms of retail, the convention center, University District, arts and entertainment, the north bank, and housing. He also says much more can be done.
  Opinion: It is true, things have changed, but Spokane hasn't always grasped for its best options. But, with the new majority in the city council, things like complete streets and moving parking away from ground level will improve the downtown experience, and make more room available to retail. Add a regional rail system, and watch downtown launch a renaissance not only for itself, but at each station along the way.


• Editorial: Parking lot blight merits ban while study done
  Source: Spokesman, 091220
  Summary: In this Spokesman-Review editorial, the editorial staff says that the surface parking ban shouldn't be considered permanent, as there is a Downtown Spokane Partnership parking study due next year. However, they state that they do not want a "barren downtown that offers abundant places to park but little to entice anyone to go there." They note that there are conflicting values with this topic: property rights and the free market versus the character of a downtown.
  Opinion: This is a classic tragedy of the anticommons situation. For those businesses that are downtown, it's important that they have a vibrant downtown environment, but individual property owners can't count on others respecting that. As a consequence, they take the most profitable course assuming that no one else will support them enough to make the cooperative (and more highly profitable) alternative work. The only way to earn the requisite faith is to have a strong and enforceable vision for downtown Spokane. Make it different from all other areas in the region. Make its streets complete and focused on economic activity rather than throughput. Yes, some property owners will not be able to do what they want. (If they want suburbia, there's plenty of that just a mile in nearly any direction.) But in the end, they will profit more and so will the community because everyone knows what to expect and can integrate that into their more profitable plans. Oh, and one other thing: the argument between surface parking and structured parking is not volume, it's location. Parking should be distributed throughout the downtown but not on the surface (except on the street--there's a reason for that), Surface lot parking defeats the purpose of a downtown: putting places close enough together to be walkable. Surface lot parking makes walking distances greater, while parking off-grade doesn't.


• Region in brief: Victim, driver in fatal crash ID’d
  Source: Spokesman, 091220
  Summary: The seventh auto-pedestrian victim was identified. Stephen W. Shockley and his dog were struck and dragged under a minivan after attempting to cross Francis.
  Opinion: The very first step of planning is identifying a problem. Anyone see a problem here that planning can pursue? Now's a good time for people to familiarize themselves with the complete streets movement. By the way--the dog was also a victim. That would be the eighth.

Four the future - December 17

Today: Hillyard's future, Medical Lake schools, Hillyard revitalization, and Kendall Yards blogging.

• Hillyard outlines its future
  Source: Spokesman, 091217
  Summary: A community meeting was held to discuss a large number of topics of neighborhood interest. (And, it was not just the Hillyard neighborhood; it also included Bemiss and Whitman, the other two partners in the "Greater Hillyard Northeast Planning Alliance.") Topics included: parks, block watch, tourism, greening the community, graffiti, community gardens, community-oriented policing, economic development, light rail, and the community's image.
  Opinion: I encourage the leaders and community members of Greater Hillyard to look at the community development activities undertaken by the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. There was a documentary filmed in 1997 entitled "Holding Ground" which shows their progress through the middle of the last decade. More information can be found at their web site at http://www.dsni.org/. (More on Hillyard below.)


• Medical Lake to vote on school bond
  Source: Spokesman, 091217
  Summary: Medical Lake will be revisiting a bond issue on the February ballot, as it failed in March 2008. If passed, the middle school will be expanded, two elementary schools will be combined, and one demolished. The elementary school, which currently serves children preschool through third grade, is a fire hazard, contains extensive asbestos, and a failed heating system. It was built in 1950's.
  Opinion: The failure of school bonds makes you wonder what would happen if the comprehensive plan for a community were adopted by the public, and implementation of the plan were decided upon by elected officials rather than the other way around.


• New lampposts stay dark for the holidays
  Source: Spokesman, 091217
  Summary: New lampposts were installed along Market Street, but the LED luminaries were not ready in time for the this month's retail activity.
  Opinion: Revitalization of downtown Hillyard is an important step toward a new image for the community. The loss of one holiday season is not critical considering the long term nature of the change. And, big props to the City of Spokane for testing and utilizing LED technology. They will use less energy, and save an immense amount of maintenance costs associated with changing light bulbs, as they are far more durable than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. These initiatives will not only improve the streetscape generally, but will also make Market safer for pedestrians and show that Hillyard is embracing a green stance for the future.


• Greenstone - Kendall Yards
  Source: Greenstone, 091218
  Summary: Greenstone has launched a blog about Kendall Yards. In the first entry, they state that their guiding principles are: create places for people, enrich the existing, make connections, work with the landscape, mixed uses and form, manage the investment, and design for change.
  Opinion: Connecting to the community is an important step for the development of this property. One of the more serious mistakes that Black Rock made was thinking that connecting to the business community would be enough. Executive-style development efforts is the norm in Spokane, which is precisely why developers think they can get away with things, and do. But, things are changing. Greenstone demonstrates the right way to develop a community, and this effort is as welcomed as it is expected.

Four the future - December 15

In this edition: Spokane County emergency calls, downtown Spokane parking, Turnbull expansion, and West Plains annexation.

• County testing 'reverse 911'
  Source: Spokesman, 091215
  Summary: Spokane County has a new system which allows them to make automated phone calls to an area in the event of an emergency.
  Opinion: This would have been more useful in the past, when cell phones were a minor part of the communications infrastructure. Younger residents, who tend not to have landlines, will be excluded from this entirely unless they sign up. But, of course, if you needed to sign up, you wouldn't need this system. Since you can't make it useful by reaching everyone, perhaps it could achieve greater market penetration by being for more than just public safety: when there's a public hearing on planning issues in your neighborhood, for instance. Then, it can be more useful, and reach those who otherwise wouldn't be protected. Anyway, I don't think this system will be long for this world simply because the world will move on.


• Tuesday Morning Quarterback
  Source: Spokane Councilmember Jon Snyder, 091215
  Summary: The new plan for downtown Spokane ("Fast Forward Spokane") proposed a ban on stand alone surface parking lots. It was the most controversial issue of the evening but passes 4-3. French, McLaughlin, and Apple voted to remove the ban. Snyder, Corker, Rush and Shogan voted to sustain it.
  Opinion: This ban was a long time in coming. One of the more tragic things that has happened across America was the "suburbanization of downtown." Other cities have moved to reverse it and have been handsomely rewarded. This was an excellent move toward strengthening downtown Spokane. Just a few days ago, this might not have happened. This is the new coalition coming into its own. With the addition of Waldref to replace French, Spokane might actually have a council that cares about the neighborhoods and downtown all at the same time. How refreshing!


• Federal budget allots $1.5 million to expand Turnbull refuge
  Source: Spokesman, 091217
  Summary: The federal government has allocated $1.5 million for property acquisitions near Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. It is intended to purchase about 500 acres of the 12,000 acres identified as priorities. Turnbull's wetlands is threatened by nearby residential wells which lower the water table and phosphorus from septic systems which cause algae blooms. There has been increasing public awareness of Turnbull's ecological importance. The history is described.
  Opinion: First, wetlands can't be moved, and certainly not ones of this magnitude. There are geological reasons why one place is a wetland and another is not. Second, the Federal government should have a partner in Spokane County, but without cash consequences associated with the expansion of the urban growth boundary, critical lands will continue to be lost. Third, good on the feds to recognize Turnbull's importance. I've been working on a project in Cheney which might help increase public awareness even more in a way that will improve Cheney's economy as well. It's no coincidence that green is the color of nature and money.


• Annex This!
  Source: Inlander, 091217
  Summary: The article itself is a summary of the maze of deals between Spokane County, the City of Spokane, the City of Airway Heights, and Fire District 10 for the annexation of the West Plains. However, the map and article don't seem to be on the web site.
  Opinion: Spokane County better get its house in order. Its long term failure to correct the balance between its revenues and expenses bit them before. It got its first warning in 2001 with the incorporation of Liberty Lake, then a stern rebuke with the incorporation of Spokane Valley in 2003. In two years it will get worse with the loss of the airport and its environs. Next up: the North Spokane Urban Growth Area.

Four the future - December 13

Access to Antoine Peak, Waste-to-Jobs, Spokane County jail, and inclusionary housing.

• Access still limited to Antoine Peak
  Source: Spokesman, 091213
  Summary: While Spokane County has received grant funding for Antoine Peak, access is still limited because a third and critical piece of the property acquisition has not been made.
  Opinion: With the arrival of the grant monies, purchase of this final piece is easier. And if Spokane County withdraws the mind-boggling offer to purchase the YMCA, they'll save an immense amount of money for appropriate uses, like acquiring this third parcel.


• Watching their waste
  Source: Spokesman, 091213
  Summary: Odessa Public Development Authority is developing a bio-digester at Fishtrap. In digesting 75,000 tons of waste, it will create fertilizer, generate enough electricity for 1,000 homes, and become Lincoln County's largest employer with 75 new jobs.
  Opinion: A great idea to deal with some of Spokane County's waste issues, but let's make sure there are no pathogens making it all the way into the resulting fertilizer. Good on Odessa PDA to look outside the box in being willing to place a site closer to Sprague than Odessa. With a little less provincialism everywhere, we'd all benefit with a little help from our friends. And look at that: Lincoln County's largest employer will be part of the green collar economy.


• Jail query: not where, why
  Source: Spokesman, 091213
  Summary: A letter writer tells her experience about how a public hearing about the new jail facility turned from where should the facility be built to why should it be built, and brings facts to bear.
  Opinion: An excellent question: what is it about this "family friendly" community that requires so much jail time? The fact is that the county commissioners already picked a site, the best one, too, but the two Republicans on the board don't have the courage to stick to their decision. Beware Knezovich's recurring bids to create his own little kingdom out on the west plains.


• Controversy surrounds Bellingham plan to require low-income housing
  Source: The Bellingham Herald, 091213
  Summary: The Bellingham City Council unanimously required a development to include 10% of the housing to be affordable to families making 80% of the Whatcom County median household income. There is disagreement over the appropriate method of ensuring the presence of affordable housing in an area. In Bellingham almost one-quarter of the cost of building a home is fees and sales taxes.
  Opinion: The fees argument is a red herring: who would live in a house that doesn't have access to roads, sewer, water, or schools? Or will fall down because it's uninspected? The question is: how do we ensure that there is a connection between the incomes in a community and the available housing stock. There are two ways: increase incomes for the least paid, or require that if incomes are low that there is housing stock available. Since there are so many people in leadership positions in this nation who hold the opinion that paying people well for their work is harmful to the economy (which is ridiculous because paying people IS the economy), the second must be pursued. What we need is to view affordable housing as a commodity, and create a market for it. Require all development to include a percentage of housing, including rentals, to be affordable, the percentage adjusted to the need in the region. Then, allow developers to transfer this requirement, if they wish, to other developers who would like to take advantage of government assistance. With protections to prevent affordable housing from being moved out of the local area and to prevent high concentrations of low income housing, a market is formed which is flexible and meets the needs of the region.

Four the future - December 12

Today: transit expansion in Idaho, densification near Liberty Lake, traffic in Millwood, and making a future for Rockford.

• In brief: Free bus system gets boost
  Source: Spokesman, 091212
  Summary: Citylink received $1.7 million to build a new transit center in Worley, near the casino, and purchase 4 buses. $1.5 million was from the federal stimulus package. The tribe will also be providing $225,000 in operating expenses for the system.
  Opinion: Rural transit systems are heavily dependent on federal funding, and Idaho compounds that unfortunate situation by being hostile to local transit funding. So, since we're all paying for it in addition to our local transit taxes, would it be too much to ask to put the transit center near the rail line so that it can do double duty if the Plummer line starts running passenger service from Spokane?
• In brief: County’s zoning vote Tuesday
  Source: Spokesman, 091212
  Summary: Spokane County commissioners will be considering a proposal to increase residential density next to Liberty Lake. The proposal faces almost unanimous opposition from the neighbors, in part due to fears of lake contamination by the increased density.
  Opinion: The lake won't be harmed by the increase in density itself--the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District does a handsome job of protecting that critical watershed. My only concern about it is the chance that increased traffic along those county roads may increase oil spills to an area which may not have adequate catchment. (Which the county could fix, but these roads aren't race tracks, so....) Having said that, the density increase would be out of character in that neighborhood, and it would violate the comprehensive plan. Not that that has stopped Richard and Mielke before.
• Council delays traffic alterations until spring
  Source: Spokesman, 091212
  Summary: The City of Millwood conducted a traffic study and found that in 11 of 12 locations, the standard measurement for traffic speeds exceeded the posted speed limit. They will be looking into ways to slow down traffic. The City will conduct public hearings when the weather gets warmer. Additionally, the council passed their required critical areas ordinance to protect the aquifer, fish and wildlife.
  Opinion: Millwood is rightfully proud of its history and character. It is a beautiful community. High speed traffic is a detriment to the image they wish to maintain. However, Millwood will be in for a shock as the County proceeds with the Bigelow Gulch project and makes their main street a part of the de facto North Spokane Corridor. If they think they have traffic concerns now, just wait.
• Building a city’s identity
  Source: Spokesman, 091212
  Summary: the Town of Rockford had received an award for their community economic development activities and grant monies to improve Rock Creek, which flows through town. It has issues with both flooding and erosion. Mayor-elect Micki Harnois wants to crate a small-town community that people want to stop in.
  Opinion: My personal opinion is that Rockford is a good little town, and I know my little towns. I am told that there are several challenges in Rockford, not the least of which is that the fire station is on a flood plain. As, indeed, is much of the town. However, their determination is welcome, and the fact that they've invited engineers and planners into the conversation shows they're serious about their community's future.

Four the future - December 7

After only one day, I've decided to change the format. If I wait for a full week, the list will be too long and you won't want to go through them. So, let's try this: "Four" the future...a list of four stories related to planning. Yeah, it's cheesy. I like cheese, so sue me.

• EPA moving to regulate greenhouse gas emissions
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091208
  Summary: The Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate pollutants, such as CO₂, and may do so without the need for additional legislation.
  Opinion: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for this act during the Bush administration when it told a reluctant EPA that it had authority to do so. It would be a bold move, and one that may raise the ire of congressional Republicans, and some "blue dog" Democrats.


• Grant to offset Antoine costs
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091208
  Summary: A State of Washington grant reimbursed Spokane County for about half the cost of the purchase of Antoine Peak.
  Opinion: If the County wants to reduce its budget woes while increasing the amount of money it receives from state grants, it could get serious about the Conservation Futures program by instituting an open space impact fee so that as the region grows, we can preserve a proportional amount of land from suburban sprawl.


• Shuttles are green in deed
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091209
  Summary: Diesel-electric hybrid buses replacing the downtown trolleys were purchased as a result of a cost analysis--maintenance costs are only 11 cents per mile, as opposed to standard diesel buses at 65 cents per mile.
  Opinion: One of the side effects of Washington's statutory division between capital and operational costs is that it is rare that jurisdictions are willing to pay more for capital costs which reduce operational costs. Spokane Transit is to be commended for this move. Now, if only they would apply that to the rail discussion. (And Spokane County for its confinement facility.)


• What Would Jane Say?
  Source: Inlander, 091210
  Summary: Jan Jacobs, the highly respected urban economist, would not approve of the choices being made with regards to the YMCA building at Riverfront Park. Robert Herold, the author of this opinion piece, points out that more open space will not make Riverfront Park better, just bigger.
  Opinion: Herold is correct. Riverfront Park is beginning to be too diluted with a lack of demand attractions. We must bring in more retail and entertainment activities to the park, thereby increasing the number of reasons for people go there. A lively park is economically useful and safer. Making even more dark spaces at night is just inviting inappropriate activities into our regional urban park. Use the Conservation Futures money for its intended purpose, and rescue Riverfront Park at the same time.

Weekly planning articles

This quarter, as part of the Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning class, I was required to monitor the Spokesman-Review for stories related to planning and keep a log. I think the point was to get us in the habit of doing it. I was already doing it as part of my past endeavors, so I may have pointed out more than was necessary.

Having done that now for about 10 weeks, I'm going to start posting them here. I would post the older stories, but I don't have non-payment links for them. Hopefully, I can keep up so I can capture the links as they occur.

I don't intend to limit myself to the Spokesman. Clearly, the Pacific Northwest Inlander is also a good source for news about planning in the region (and, in fact, may be better as they tend to go more in depth). If you have links to share, please email them to me or post them in the comments.

• Mr. Out There
  Source: Inlander, 091203
  Summary: Newly sworn-in Spokane City Councilmember Jon Snyder talks to the Inlander and much of it is planning-related: complete streets, electric buses, economic development.
  Opinion: Planning may very well have a friend here. We'll have to see if his instincts can be translated into effective action in a legislative role. And, hey, Jon: electric buses are not cheaper than electric rail. They are, in the long run, more expensive because you need a driver for each one while rail cars chain.


• Rekindling Kendall
  Source: Inlander, 091203
  Summary: Greenstone Corporation will be taking over Kendall Yards, and will try to develop it as part of the West Central neighborhood. Construction should be underway in Summer 2010.
  Opinion: Greenstone is a very successful planning and development organization. If anyone can make this project get off the ground, it's them, provided they don't run into the same kinds of bizarre, politically-motivated hurdles they've encountered in other Washington cities (yes, I'm talking about you Medical Lake and Liberty Lake).


• Spokane, STA weigh downtown trolleys
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091207.
  Summary: The City of Spokane and Spokane Transit Authority are performing a study of electric transit options between Mission and 14th, Perry and Latah Creek.
  Opinion: Rapid transit is an important element of a regional transportation system. Unfortunately, STA is an unreliable partner is any such effort, opting only to appear as though they're functional and spreading falsehoods because they know they can get away with it. Perhaps the new members of the Spokane City Council will call them out. (And if you're wondering why I said "they're functional" rather than "it's functional," it's because it is several members of the board and CEO who are the problem, not the drivers nor even a significant portion of the management.)


• U.N. says climate goals in reach
  Source: Spokesman-Review, 091207.
  Summary: Delegates from around the world are gathering in Copenhagen to discuss a UN treaty on global climate change. U.N. Environment Program Director Achim Steiner says that a deal at Copenhagen is not impossible.
  Opinion: Even if a deal is possible, it won't be ratified in the US Senate, so it will be meaningless.