Emerson-Garfield Community

Following the recent round of public traffic-calming workshops, the City of Spokane has asked for additional input from citizens via a ThoughtExchange survey.

Whether or not you attended those workshops, we’d encourage you to take the survey and weigh in with your own ideas on potential traffic-calming priorities. To do so, click this link. Please note that link is only valid if you live in District 3 (i.e., Northwest Spokane).

As a group, we at the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council would ask that you consider one particular trouble spot when entering your responses.

Based on direct and ongoing feedback from residents, our council has determined that Euclid Ave heading west from its intersection with Division is our number-one concern for traffic calming. There have been numerous accidents, injuries and property damage as drivers, and especially street racers, turn off of Division onto Euclid at too high a rate of speed and lose control of their vehicle.

However, a speed mitigation project on Euclid was not included on the slate of projects that the City presented at these workshops. (And, if we’re honest, few of the City’s proposed projects addressed the top concerns that our residents have identified in the past.) Therefore we’d appreciate it if you could advocate for your Euclid Ave neighbors when you’re filling out the survey.

You’ve only got until June 23 to take the survey, so please don’t delay if you’d like to see safer routes for everyone across the city. Here is the link to the survey.

And for some background and context on the City’s traffic-calming initiative, there’s a handy one-minute video below.

The results of the survey will be posted on the City’s traffic-calming website after the survey closes on Friday, June 23.

The Emerson Garfield neighborhood qualifies for FREE SpoCanopy trees.

SpoCanopy is a program of City of Spokane Urban Forestry, in collaboration with The Lands Council. They want to ensure every person in every neighborhood in Spokane has access to trees and green space. That’s why they work with residents and volunteers to plant trees and beautify our city. Our goal is for every neighborhood in Spokane to have 40% canopy cover by 2030.

Planting a street tree at your home has plenty of benefits:

• Increase property values by 5% to 20%
• Reduce air pollution
• Lower air conditioning costs by 10% to 15%
• Increase oxygen in the air
• Lower heating costs by providing a wind break
• Reduce air-borne pollutants
• Reduce storm water runoff and the possibility of flooding
• Buffer noises
• Provide habitat for wildlife

Trees are planted in either the parking strip or in the yard next to the sidewalk. SpoCanopy focuses on areas where sidewalks and streets can be shaded, so trees are not planted in the back yards or in areas far from the street. The program has several tree choices depending on location of powerlines and individual needs. Home owners are asked to water the trees for the first two years to ensure they’re successful.

Your can request a SpoCanopy tree or volunteer to help plant trees on their website.

This is a great chance to improve your yard as well as make your neighborhood more walkable.

“Wow! Spokane loves their disposal passes! We love to see that Spokane residents take pride in trying to clean up their homes and yards and make Spokane the incredible city that it is. The downside is that the funds for this year have been used up, so Friday, June 16, is the last day to request a disposal pass. But don’t worry – your neighborhood may still be having a clean-up event in the fall. Get involved with your neighborhood council to stay in the loop! You can learn more at spokanecity.org/neighborhoods.”

Come help us weed the traffic islands on Northwest Blvd. and keep our neighborhood looking good.

We’ll meet at 9 am in the Zips/Baskin Robins parking lot on NW Blvd. Bring gloves, hat, snack and water, and hand pruners, rakes and weeding tools if you have them. 

This is a great chance to visit with your neighbors and work together for our community.

See you this Saturday!

The City of Spokane’s Planning Services Department has proposed amendments to Chapter 3, Land Use of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and the Land Use Plan Map. The proposal was accepted into the work program for full review and consideration on July 18, 2022. The City is now seeking comments from the public regarding the proposal.

This plan will be used to guide new zoning codes which will help guide future commercial and residential developments in the city. This is your chance to provide your thoughts and opinions.

Any person may submit written comments on the proposed actions or call for additional information:
Planning & Economic Development Department
Attn: Kevin Freibott, Senior Planner
808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, WA 99201-3333
Phone (509) 625-6184
kfreibott@spokanecity.org

The proposed amendments for the comprehensive plan can be found here on the city’s website.

All COMMENTS ARE NEEDED BY 5 PM on June 7, 2023.