East Sprague - Targeted Investment Pilot

East Sprague Avenue Phase I is Underway

The East Sprague Avenue streetscape revitalization project is in full swing. The project will deliver major changes to Sprague Avenue from Helena to Stone streets. The project includes: a full depth street reconstruction, new sidewalks, street trees and landscaping, pedestrian bumpouts at intersections, new lighting, and more. The project, designed to create a vibrant business district, will ultimately benefit the businesses in the East Sprague area and the surrounding neighborhood.

The first phase of the project – Sprague Avenue between Napa Street and Stone streets – reopened in mid-July. Meanwhile, Phase 2—from Napa to Helena—was started early and is expected to wrap up in late August.

Nearby, two additional construction projects are getting underway on Riverside at Lee and at Napa. The City will build underground storage tanks to reduce flows from combined wastewater and stormwater sewers, protecting the health of the Spokane River.

Construction can be tough on businesses, and the City is encouraging our community to support these businesses throughout this construction season. They need your business! Businesses are Open!

This construction detour and local access map, produced by the East Sprague Business Association (ESBA) with assistance from SCAFCO, will help guide you to your favorite East Sprague businesses. Follow the directional signage for each business within the impacted area – these signs will direct you the closest parking areas for each business. Parking is available on side streets within each phase of construction, and pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project.

TIP Successes

So much has happened since the TIP Advisory Board provided recommendations for the revitalization of the area in 2014. Many recommendations have been implemented or are in progress and the successes are almost too many to mention. Below are some event highlights. Follow the project links included here for more information:

• Creation of an East Sprague Parking and Business Improvement Area
• 36 new units of quality affordable housing are being constructed at “One South Madelia”
• Cleaning From The Corridor 2016 resulted in:
  • Multiple murals, utility wraps installed, and art displayed
  • Rehabilitation of seven (7) homes by Rebuild Together
  • Multiple commercial facade improvements
  • Reinvigoration of a local community garden
  • More images of the transformations can be viewed here.
• The McKinley School is slated or redevelopment along with major renovations of multiple commercial structures across the TIP area
• Residents successfully worked with law enforcement to implement an alley and railroad viaduct lighting project.
• The Altamont underpass leading to Playfair Commerce Park is being improved and re-opened for public access
• Many new businesses have moved into the area and are thriving
• A See Something Say Something campaign supporting a prostitution ordinance give law enforcement a new tool against sex trafficking in the neighborhood.
• East Sprague Avenue is being rebuilt with new sidewalks, streetscape amenities (trees, pedestrian lighting, hanging flower baskets, etc.), and a new road surface to name a project elements.
• Combine Sewer Overflow (CSO) tanks and a stormwater infiltration site at Pacific and Perry are slated to become much desired area amenities like park space and gathering places.
• Events like Art on the Ave grow each year.
• Many of the TIPs housing quality and affordability related issues and concerns are being addressed via the Mayor’s Housing Quality and Affordability Taskforce and the City’s Infill Housing Strategies Project.

Readers also may want to check out the East Spokane Business Association web page for more information.