The University District

UDPDA Public Records Information

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

To submit a public records request to the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) please utilize this form. Alternatively, requests can be emailed to Public Records Officer, info@spokaneudistrict.org, or sent via U.S. mail to UDPDA, 35 W Main Ave, Ste 322, Spokane WA 99201.

The UDPDA provides access to public records under the provisions of the Washington State Public Disclosure Act (RCW 42.56) and the UDPDA Public Records Policy. Per RCW 42.56.520 please allow five business days to respond to a records request.

All records maintained by the UDPDA are available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. You are entitled to access public records, under reasonable conditions, and copies of those records can be provided upon paying copying costs. In most cases, you do not have to explain why you want the records. However, specific information may be necessary to process your request. The UDPDA may require further information to establish if disclosure would violate certain provisions of law.

The more precisely you can identify the record(s) you seek, the more responsive the UDPDA can be. The UDPDA provides access to existing public records in its possession but is not required to collect information or organize data to create a record not existing at the time of the request. Keep in mind that a question or request for information only is not a request for a record.

2026 University District Board and Committee Dates

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Advance agendas will be posted approximately 3-4 days before the meeting. Contact info@spokaneudistrict.org if you need a Zoom link for the meetings.

In 2026, the University District Development Association (UDDA) board of directors will meet on January 7, February 4, March 4, May 6, June 3 (retreat), September 2 (annual meeting), and October 14. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2026, the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) board of directors will meet on January 7, February 4, February 19 SAO audit exit conference, March 4, May 6, September 2 (annual meeting), and October 14. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2026, the UDDA/UDPDA Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) will meet on the following dates at 11:30 AM via Zoom: January 20, February 17, April 21, May 19, August 18, September 22, and December 8. Please email info@spokaneudistrict.org for the virtual link.

University District U-Forward Monthly E-Newsletter Issues

Fri, 25 Dec 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Below are links to our most recent monthly U-Forward e-newsletters:

2026 - January, February, May

2025 - January, February, March, August, September

2024 - No issue November and December, October 2024, September 2024, August 2024, July 2024, no issue May or June, April 2024, March 2024, February 2024, January 2024

2023 - No issue December, November 2023, October 2023, September 2023, August 2023, no July issue, June 2023, May 2023, April 2023, March 2023, February 2023, January 2023

2022 - No December issue, November 2022, October 2022, September 2022, August 2022, July 2022, June 2022, May 2022 ,April 2022 (first issue)

2026 UD Impact Award Nominations - Deadline Aug 3

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700

BACKGROUND

The University District’s Impact Award recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated excellence in leadership through deep local engagement and exceptional initiative. The award is designed to acknowledge those who provide thoughtful, community-driven, innovative, and sustainable solutions to critical issues facing the University District.

(Pictured at left, Juliet Sinisterra, CEO, University District, presenting Thayne McCulloh, Past President, Gonzaga University with 2025 Impact Award)

Past University District Impact Award Recipients Include:

2017 – Dave and Mari Clack received the inaugural award at a UD community celebration at Gonzaga University for their pioneering, seminal, and enduring contributions to the University District. See press release.
2018 – no award
2019 – Kim Pearman-Gillman was celebrated during the University District Gateway Bridge opening in May 2019 for her leadership in bringing that game-changing project to fruition and for her longstanding service on the UD Board.
2020 – Dean Allen, McKinstry CEO, received the 2020 award for his transformative role in developing the south landing of the Gateway Bridge and the “Health Peninsula,” the new home of the UW-GU Health Partnership Building.
2021 – Jim Sheehan was honored for his decades of service to Spokane as a public defender, community leader, philanthropist, and environmental activist. His investment in and transformation of East Main Ave into a vibrant commercial and community hub were catalytic for the UD. See press release.
2022 – Kim Zentz received the 2022 award for her years of community service on several Spokane boards and non-profits (including the University District) as well as her leadership roles during her distinguished career in the utility, economic development, higher education, and energy sectors. See press release.
2023 – Rich Hadley received the 2023 award posthumously as a major driver in the establishment of the University District. Rich worked tirelessly to build and sustain economic growth in our area and was instrumental in bringing the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine into existence. See press release.
2025 – Scott Morris, a much-admired business and philanthropic leader in the Spokane community, received the 2024 award for his pivotal role in the era-defining transformation of the South Landing of the University District Gateway Bridge, home to the internationally renowned Catalyst Building and Scott Morris Center for Energy Innovation. See press release.
2026 – Thayne McCulloh and Ana Mari Cauce were celebrated for their unprecedented partnership and decades-long leadership in establishing the UW/GU Health Partnership. See press release.

ELIGIBILITY
Individuals or organizations may receive this award. Previous award winners and current University District board members or staff are not eligible. The nominee’s work must serve populations in the University District.

AWARD TO INDIVIDUAL
This award is given to someone who has significantly contributed to the University District and whose collaborative work and selfless leadership have inspired community action and measurable impact.

AWARD TO ORGANIZATION
This award is given to an organization that demonstrates an exemplary commitment to improving the University District, supporting its stakeholders, and creating greater community health, wealth, equity, and opportunity in the District. The nominated organization will have undertaken collaborative and pioneering efforts to benefit University District development, revitalization, economic prosperity, innovation, public health and safety, and community engagement.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

The University District Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) can initiate a public or closed nomination process. It can receive nominations informally, provided sufficient information is available to evaluate the nominee by the published deadline. Before evaluation and deliberation, the EAC will decide on the timeline for submissions, selection, and recognition. Those making nominations may be asked to provide additional information, if necessary. The EAC will confirm the nominees' eligibility and present its recommendation(s) to the UDDA board of directors for award selection.

TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

Members of the public who wish to nominate a person or organization for the annual University District Impact Award are required to submit a Word document (maximum two pages) that includes responses to the following:

TELL US ABOUT WHO THE NOMINEE SERVES IN THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT (UD)

Please describe the community, organizations, and/or individuals served in the University District by this candidate.

WHAT DOES THE NOMINEE DO FOR THE UD AND WHY IS THAT WORK IMPORTANT?

Please tell us about the nature of the nominee’s work and why it matters. Examples include:

Thoughtful Leader: Has a record of demonstrated leadership in their field and community; friends, colleagues, other thought leaders, and peers look to the nominee as a source of inspiration, knowledge, and empowerment.
Community Catalyst: Has a history of stepping up, spearheading catalytic projects, and employing solutions that demonstrate a deep local understanding of the University District community and its diverse stakeholders and that advance the overall health, well-being, and prosperity of the UD community.
Selfless Collaborator: Works with and is informed by other University District or Spokane community leaders, organizations, agencies, faith groups, and/or sectors to break down silos and build collaborative solutions.
Trail Blazer: Has vision and the ability to build momentum around novel, placemaking, or game-changing ideas; willing to take risks to achieve results for future generations.

WHAT SETS THE NOMINEE APART?

Describe how the nominee works to lead, collaborate, and transform outcomes in the University District in truly unique ways. Provide 2-3 concrete examples of the nominee’s singular impact in the UD and/or challenges the nominee(s) has addressed/overcome in the District.

DEADLINE AND EVALUATION

Please submit nominations to info@spokaneudistrict.org by 10 AM Pacific, Monday, August 3, 2026. Please provide your contact information for follow-up questions, if any. Final recommendation(s) will be presented to the University District board of directors in October, and the Impact Award presentation will occur at a holiday party on December 2, 2026.

NEED MORE INFO?

If you have any questions, please contact info@spokaneudistrict.org or 509 255 8038.

Saranac Art Project - June First Friday

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

PRESS RELEASE: June 2026

EXHIBITION DATES: DATE, June 5th – 27th , 2026

OPENING RECEPTION: 1st Friday Reception, June 5th, 2026, 5:00 – 8:00, free and open to the public

GALLERY HOURS: Fridays 12:00 – 8:00 PM, except day of exhibit opening: Saturdays 12:00 – 8:00 PM

EAST GALLERY EXHIBITION DESCRIPTION: New Members Exhibit: Krista Brand, Olivia Evans, Nancy Ocegueda, Azadeh Walker

Krista Brand is an artist, curator, and educator who works across ceramics, painting, installation, drawing, digital design, and artist books. Her work is rooted in sensory experience and the practice of slow looking. Combining handmade objects, found materials, and symbolic forms, she creates points of contact between interior landscapes, changing weather patterns, consumption, and collapse. Brand has exhibited across the country and regularly collaborates with other artists. She recently co-curated a pacific northwest emerging artist exhibition at Moscow Contemporary (Moscow, ID) and has been a four-time juror with Photolucida (Portland, OR). Krista teaches in the Department of Art at Washington State University.

Olivia Evans is a grant-awarded, multidisciplinary visual artist, producer, and owner of Mama Wolf Media in Spokane, WA. Working in photography, drawing, film, experimental video & projection, and beadwork, her work is heavily influenced by motherhood, nature, subconscious, and personal experiences - intertwining traditional and digital media to create narratives of the self. All these influences echo her background as a Black/ Italian/ Native woman. She holds a BFA Degree and Film Minor from Eastern WA University (2018).

As a consulting producer at The Alliance for Media Arts + Culture, she elevates marginalized communities through film. She consults with orgs such as Spokane Arts, Artist Trust, Yoyot Sp’q’n’i, Carl Maxey Center, Elk Soup, WA Filmworks, Spark Central, SFCC, and SRDVC. Her work has been featured in the INT’L All Media Exhibition ‘22, various other group exhibitions, and has been interviewed by KXLY, Krem 2, & KHQ. Today, she expands her art practice, such as directing The Root Experience: Living Cultures of Art, Music & Soul and it’s attached non-profit, grant & film paneling, modeling, participating on boards & committees, and as Adjunct Art Professor at Whitworth & Gonzaga Universities.

Nancy Ocegeuda is an artist, community organizer, and art educator who recently moved to Spokane, WA from the Mojave Desert in California. Her art reflects the “making something out of nothing” sensibility that “rasquachismo” (rha-skwa-chee-smo) art, a chicano art movement of the late 1980s, was. She often uses found materials to expand the canvas. Mixing printmaking, sculpture, or painting to express a visual conversation of lived experiences, cultural, and spiritual symbologies, and social commentary. Her strong community engagement and organizing background encourages her to find opportunities for activism in art and ways to engage community participation.

Azadeh Weber is an Iranian-American artist and psychologist who uses paint, mixed media, performance art, and poetry to translate experiences and universal truths into pro-social forms. She thrives when creating at the intersection of heritage arts, contemporary expressions, current events, and principles of healthy identity.

Azadeh owns a private psychological practice and teaches circus arts in the Republic School District. Previously, she ran an art therapy program in the Palo Alto Unified School District and produced heritage arts workshops for refugees and immigrants from the Greater Middle East to increase resilience. She was recently awarded a grant from Humanities Washington to 3-D print jewelry based on Islamic Geometries, apprenticing under her father, an architect with over 50 years of experience. Azadeh's art has been exhibited in various places across California and Washington.

WEST GALLERY EXHIBITION DESCRIPTION: Tobe Harvey, Recent Work

Exhibition Description: Tobe Harvey’s recent work displays his experiments with design, digital art, sequential art, installation, and painting.

Catching up with: Juliet Sinisterra, University District

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

(as published in the Journal of Business, by Karina Elias)

University District leaders have spent the last several years laying the groundwork for the next phase of development to transform the Spokane district into a regional hub for innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.

Among the projects taking shape is the U Incubation Village, a proposed campus-style concept that brings together maker spaces, workforce training programs, entrepreneurial services, creative industries, and production hubs, says Juliet Sinisterra, CEO of the University District Development Association and the University District Public Development Authority.

The concept, Sinisterra says, is designed to strengthen job creation and economic development while creating stronger connections between the University District and surrounding neighborhoods, particularly the South Perry District and East Central neighborhoods.

“It’s not just a building, it’s an ecosystem of uses,” Sinisterra says. “We’re starting to look at how Spokane can create more pathways to opportunity, … and it starts to build onto systems that are already in place.”

The University District covers a sprawling 770 acres located east and northeast of downtown Spokane. Sinisterra envisions the U Incubation Village taking root in the district’s southeast quadrant including a network of maker hubs — interconnected spaces designed to support production, workforce development, and small-business growth, she says.

About three years ago, the city of Spokane approached Sinisterra with an idea about expanding maker spaces — collaborative workspaces stocked with tools and materials in which people can come in to create, invent, and learn.

Sinisterra says she began by convening a group of 12 people regularly to discuss what was needed. The concept of a maker village kept resurfacing, she says, and was further validated through public outreach conducted as part of the district’s comprehensive design framework, Next Generation Conceptual Plan 2065.

The project received funding from the Washington state Community Economic Revitalization Board to support a two-year feasibility and market analysis study, she says. The study wraps up at the end of 2026 and will detail the economics and feasibility of the project, its potential construction and development costs, and what types of jobs can be created from it, she says.

There are four industry hubs being studied: circular construction and green infrastructure; repair and remanufacturing; arts, culture, and Indigenous creative industries; and food systems and urban agriculture. The studies so far are drawing positive results, she says. Repair and remanufacturing could become a significant growth industry, particularly within medical and electronic repair services. Additionally, creative industries could draw in tourism and support place-making, she says.

Through the summer, the University District will hold a series of stakeholder and community conversations to validate market demand, inform implementation, and guide the future of the maker hubs and U Incubation Village, she says.

While the University District's leaders and stakeholders continue to evaluate the feasibility of the U Incubation Village, they’re also advancing another ambitious concept aimed at long-term sustainability. The district recently secured a $343,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to explore district thermal energy infrastructure, an idea that also grew out of the organization’s Next Generation Conceptual Plan.

The district thermal energy analysis grant will evaluate energy generated by Gonzaga University and WSU Spokane, and will be used to study opportunities to redirect energy into productive uses. The project has the potential to move the district into a net-zero energy zone while generating recurring revenue for reinvestment into district projects, Sinisterra says.

“Really, we need to invest $200 million to $300 million into the district to really start to get it going,” she says. “Right now, we’re trying to understand the scope of costs and where we could leverage different monies.”

Another project, currently in limbo, is the 400 Block Project. Envisioned at the 400 block of East Sprague near the Gateway Bridge’s South Landing, the project calls for a 92,900-square-foot mixed-use building for three tenants: Spokane Sports, Whitworth University, and the University District itself. It also includes a recreation and wellness center featuring a 60-foot climbing gym. Sinisterra says some elements of that project will likely still move forward and plans have received support from property owners who see it as a potentially catalytic development.

While many of the district’s initiatives remain in the planning stages, Sinisterra says the studies and partnerships now underway are intended to position the University District for larger investments in the years ahead.

“I would love us to start a big infrastructure package within the next five years,” Sinisterra says. “If we could get a couple of these district amenities moving forward, then all of a sudden people want to be here. They want to live here.”

EWU Commencement Ceremonies 2026

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Eagle Family and Friends,

Wow, I'm still buzzing from the excitement of our Commencement ceremonies and a week filled with celebrations of student achievement! The festivities began long before graduates crossed the stage, with colleges recognizing outstanding achievements, departments honoring their graduates and student organizations marking the culmination of another successful academic year.

On June 12 and 13, across six ceremonies, thousands of family members and friends filled Reese Court to celebrate our graduates and welcome them into the Eagle alumni family. These moments reflect Eastern’s mission of providing a transformative educational experience grounded in access, opportunity and student success. It is inspiring to watch our students cross the stage with confidence, each ready to apply their knowledge, skills and experiences as they make their way into meaningful careers and lives of impact.

As a first-generation college graduate myself, Commencement always holds special meaning. I know first hand how education can open doors, create opportunities and change the course of a life. For many of our graduates, earning a degree represents more than a personal milestone: It reflects the support of family, the perseverance to overcome challenges and the promise of new possibilities ahead for themselves and those who will follow in their footsteps.

The days leading up to Commencement are always filled with celebrations that recognize the hard work and accomplishments of our students. One of the most inspiring was this year’s ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, during which six Eastern graduates took the oath of office and began their journey as commissioned officers in the U.S. Army. While their paths may differ, these new officers join thousands of Eastern graduates who are leaving our campus ready to lead, serve and make meaningful contributions to their communities and professions.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 — It’s a great day to be an Eagle!

Shari McMahan, PhD
President
Eastern Washington University

$25 UW million gift will bolster rural, Indigenous healthcare

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Photo: Montana WWAMI medical student Chelsea Koessel, right, with a young patient at the Southwest Montana Community Health Center in Butte during her 2024 Rural Underserved Opportunities Program rotation.

The largest-ever scholarship gift to the University of Washington School of Medicine Medical Student Education Program will be used to increase the number of primary-care physicians serving rural and Indigenous communities across Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho — the WWAMI region.

Philanthropists William and Carolyn Franke and their family have made a $25 million gift to create the Franke Medical Student Scholars Program. The program will fund scholarships, student support, and education programs for medical students committed to serving rural and Native communities in the five states.

This represents the largest known family gift to support rural medical education nationwide.

“Bill and Carolyn have never shied away from tackling big challenges, and the critical shortage of doctors in rural and Indigenous communities is no exception,” said UW President Robert J. Jones. “This gift from the Franke family will enable us to increase the number of primary-care physicians in these communities across five states. This is an investment in the health of an entire region, and we are deeply honored the Frankes chose to make this historic gift.”

The gift creates a $20 million scholarship endowment that, each year, will cover half of medical school tuition for approximately 30 students who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to practicing in rural or Indigenous communities.

An additional $4.5 million will establish the Franke Family Endowed Fund for Excellence to bolster student recruitment and retention, as well as activities to support graduates practicing in rural communities across the region. These efforts include the formation of the W.A. Franke Rural Medical Education Summit. The remaining $500,000 will seed the Franke Family Excellence Fund to provide immediate support for the summit.

“Living part time in Montana, we have seen firsthand that the physician shortage in many rural communities persists today and we saw an opportunity to help address this challenge,” said Bill Franke, co-founder and managing partner of Indigo Partners.

“By making a strategic investment in the WWAMI Program, we can increase support for exceptional students who aspire to become rural physicians, thereby ultimately scaling and strengthening healthcare across rural communities,” said Dave Franke, principal at Franke & Company and current treasurer of the UW Foundation Board.

The WWAMI region is experiencing some of the country’s most severe primary-care physician shortages. People in rural communities often must travel great distances for the medical care they need.

“Aspiring rural physicians face significant and growing barriers to pursuing medical education, completing their degree and returning to practice rural medicine,” said Dr. Tim Dellit, CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the UW School of Medicine. “The Franke family’s extraordinary generosity will help reduce many of these barriers to allow our students to pursue their dreams, not their debt.”

For details about UW Medicine, please see our About page.

Whitworth Launches New Bachelor of Science Nursing Program

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Whitworth University is pleased to announce that its new bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program has been approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and granted initial approval by the Washington State Board of Nursing. The program marks a significant step forward in preparing the next generation of nurses to serve Spokane and communities around the world.

Set to launch in fall 2027, the four-year BSN program reflects Whitworth’s commitment to addressing the growing demand for highly trained nurses across the Pacific Northwest.

“We’re not just responding to a shortage; we’re investing in the future of our communities,” says Mike Ediger, dean of the School of Health Sciences. “Whitworth is preparing nurses who will elevate care, strengthen healthcare systems and make a lasting difference across the Inland Northwest.”

For more than 60 years, Whitworth has partnered with local hospitals, and since its inception, the WSU College of Nursing. Now, the new BSN program is building on that success with a comprehensive, approved curriculum spanning both lower- and upper-division coursework.

Whitworth’s BSN program is designed to expand access to high-quality nursing education while preparing graduates to serve in hospitals, clinics and community health centers. Under the direction of Chris Sloan, Ph.D., RN, nursing administrator and program director, the program will continue to strengthen and expand its regional ties.

“Seventy-eight percent of Whitworth undergraduates are Washington residents, and one-third come from Eastern Washington,” Sloan says. “At a time when our communities urgently need more nurses, this program creates a pathway for students to train close to home and step directly into care roles through partnerships with Providence Health Services, MultiCare Health System and Regency at Northpointe. This is an investment in the health of our region and in a future where every patient in the Inland Northwest has access to skilled, compassionate care.”

The BSN program will be housed in Hawthorne Hall, which is being transformed into a dedicated, 22,500-square-foot nursing education facility. The renovated space will feature state-of-the-art simulation and skills labs designed to prepare students for real-world healthcare environments. These include a hospital-style simulation suite; two 1,000-square-foot hands-on skills labs; high-fidelity manikins and virtual reality tools; hospital-grade equipment such as beds, IV stations and medication systems; integrated electronic health record technology; and dedicated debriefing rooms to support reflection and clinical decision-making.

To learn more about the new BSN program, click here.

About Whitworth University:

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.

Announcing May Exhibitions at Saranac Art Projects

Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700

EXHIBITION DATES: Friday, May 1st – Saturday, May 30th

OPENING RECEPTION: 1st Friday Reception, May 1st, 2026 5:00 – 8:00, free and open to the public

GALLERY HOURS: Fridays 12:00 – 8:00 PM, except day of exhibit opening: Saturdays 12:00 – 8:00 PM

EAST GALLERY: Emergence: SAP Juried Exhibition

Saranac Art Projects is excited to announce our first national juried exhibition. Artists from the Northwest as well as Michigan and California will be exhibiting their work in our East Gallery. Artists included in this exhibition: Patrick Appleby, Sarah Barnett, Athaylia Begay, Veronica Burns, Connor Dinnison, Jen Erickson, Tricia Florence, Madeline Goolie, Nate Gilchrist, Melanie Hewitt, Michael Horswill, David Jacobs, Madison Jones, Laura Kaschmitter, Connor Kelly, Chris Kelsey, Evelyn Kennedy, Kate Lund, Genie Maples, Saima Mohammad, Margaret Mount, Andrew Parker, Finn Pond, David Jacobs, Allie Vogt, Jacquelyn Walker, Matthew Whitney, Allyce Wood, John Woodruff

WEST GALLERY: The Hive® Artist and Residence, curated by Eva Silverstone

SAP is excited to have Eva Silverstone from the Spokane Public Library curating our 2nd Hive Artist in Residence exhibition. The artists who will be exhibiting have all completed their residence at the Hive® recently.

CURATORIAL STATEMENT

Through a variety of materials and mediums, each of the artists in this show infuse bits of joy into their subject matter. They are all current or past Artists-in-Residence at The Hive® where they were given time and space to work on their art without interruption from outside sources. This focus allowed them to dial in and find the sparks that inspire them to make their work. I was drawn to the luminance in each of their works and how they treat spaces and objects with detail, color and softness as well as a bit of whimsy. Their work makes me happy. ~Eva Silverstone

· Genie Maples - https://www.instagram.com/geniemaples/

· Rachael Chambers - https://www.instagram.com/rachaelchambersart/

· Addison Adele Hansen - https://www.instagram.com/fairyconscience/

· Megan Finch - https://www.instagram.com/rhetorix/

Saranac Art Projects
- a contemporary, co-op art gallery -
25 W. Main St. • Spokane, Washington