Hello Emerson-Garfield neighbors ~ Today is the Fourth of July and so here are two important reminders:
#1 – The Emerson-Garfield Farmer’s Market is OPEN! Go visit Emerson Park between 3-7pm today to stock up on your local foods & goodies. Remember, you can follow The Emerson-Garfield Farmer’s Market online (both on Facebook and Instagram) to stay up to date on their latest news.
#2 – The City of Spokane has a Fireworks Ban and a Burn Ban From the City: 2025 marks the 33rd annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration hosted by the City with the help of our awesome Spokane Firefighters! This celebration is a time for Spokane to come together to mark American Independence and protect the community and first responders from the negative impacts of amateur fireworks shows.
Also, please keep in mind that burn restrictions have gone into effect as of June 30, 2025. Unauthorized open burning or recreational fires are restricted until further notice. Before lighting a fire, call your local fire department.
~BONUS news~ Our neighbors at the Audubon-Downriver Neighborhood Council are hosting FREE Thursday night concerts in July. “Concerts Under the Pines” Will be held on 7/10, 7/17, and 7/24 in Audubon Park. Bring your own chairs, food, and beverages. These events are free, but donations are welcome. Here’s the line-up: July 10th, 6:00-8:00pm: Lilac City Community Band July 17th, 6:30-8:30pm: John Wayne Williams & Art Baker July 24th, 6:30-8:30pm: Gil Rivas
Hello everyone, Jeff Johnson, Executive Director, Spokane C.O.P.S. (JJohnson@spokanecops.org, 509-625-3300) provided the ENGC with the following letter asking us to share with our community. Please see below and connect with C.O.P.S. if you’d like any more information. Thanks!
As promised, EGNC is sharing information regarding the Public Comment period and Public Hearing for the 601 W Mansfield site / “Mansfield Grocery Conditional Use Permit (CUP)”. You can find the developer and City provided documents around this CUP here.
PLEASE NOTE: Public Comments are DUE by 4/3/2025 (by or before 5pm). Please send your personalized email to the following individuals: Steven Bafus, Project Planner, sbafus@spokanecity.org Kitty Klitzke, District 3 City Council Member, kklitzke@spokanecity.org Zack Zappone, District 3 City Council Member, zzappone@spokanecity.org Spencer Gardner, Director of Planning Services, sgardner@spokanecity.org Re: Application/Permit Number: Z25-047CUP3
This has been an ongoing concern of the neighborhood for some time, per our council vote in February, 2025 the EGNC sent an agency letter in opposition to the proposed change of use. As many of you know, neighbors Clay and Ron have been instrumental in sharing information and even engaging with legal council to address issues and concerns around this permitting process. Clay’s most recent email is below:
Dear Concerned Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you well. I want to share an important update regarding the Mansfield “Grocery” CUP that requires our community’s attention.
This week, residents and stakeholders in the immediate vicinity of 601 W Mansfield were informed that Ramka Properties, LLC’s application for a Type III Conditional Use Permit has progressed to the public comment phase (See attached Hearing Letter PDF). This is a crucial opportunity for anyone to express concerns regarding the pending approval of this permit. The deadline for written comments for this application is April 3rd, 2025 at 5 PM.
I have attached the formal notice and a picture of the posted sign for your reference. Our neighborhood needs to voice our opinions on this matter. I strongly encourage everyone who feels passionately about this issue to submit their comments. Based on experience, please remember that emailing directly without attachments before the deadline is most effective, as the city will disregard late submissions.
For those unsure of what to write, I have included the Neighborhood Position Statement below, highlighting key talking points we have been advised through legal counsel to be the most effective.
“We respectfully urge the city to deny all Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requests that plan to convert 601 W Mansfield back to retail use. This request aligns with the 1987 hearing examiner’s findings, which identified retail use as a substantial crime risk in the area. This is also supported by documented robberies that occurred during the 60 years before its conversion to a dental lab. These retail-related issues have been resolved for 40 years because of the conversion and commitment to non-retail use. We seek to protect our community’s safety and stability by preventing a return to these historic challenges.”
Following the comment period, a public hearing will be held at City Hall on April 10th at 9 AM. This coincides with Spokane Public Schools’ Spring Break, which may be a strategic timing by Ramka Properties. As a teacher, I will be canceling my family’s vacation plans to ensure our representation at the hearing. I hope many of you can attend, but rest assured we will be there to represent our collective voice.
If you have any further questions regarding either the Public Comment requirements or the Public Hearing and how it works, please reach out to me directly.
