local organization – Page 2 – Emerson-Garfield Community

STA Proposed Fare Change – Feedback Requested

November 9, 2021 Emerson Garfield

Spokane Transit Authority is now taking public feedback on proposed changes to the current fare policy. First and foremost, the proposal does not include a fare increase. Rather, the draft policy intends to expand transit discount program eligibility to thousands more people throughout the region, as well as introduce a new approach to collecting fares called “fare capping.”

This short video explains fare capping, which is intended to address current fare inequities and reduces financial barriers to transit by eliminating the up-front cost of a monthly pass.

This brochure offers more information and details.

Take the survey.

AmeriCorps Opportunities

April 9, 2021 Emerson Garfield

Gabby Ryan, our neighborhood staff liaison, wanted to share this opportunity for community members to serve in the Spokane County United Way’s AmeriCorps VISTA Program.

She stated in her email:

It’s often described as the domestic Peace Corps, and allows for folks to do intentional and impactful community-based work. Being an AmeriCorps VISTA was what allowed for me to begin my work in the Spokane community, as I served as the AmeriCorps VISTA in Eastern Washington University’s Office of Community Engagement for two years. This is an excellent opportunity to share with folks more interested in community-based work (whether it’s government or nonprofit focused).

If any community members have questions about AmeriCorps, there’s contact info at the bottom, but they’re also welcome to reach out to me if they’re interested in an AmeriCorps Alumna’s local experience. There is a robust and strong AmeriCorps Alumni network here in Spokane, that includes many folks y’all work with on a daily basis. Myself, Councilmember Burke and Gretchen Chomas are just a few AmeriCorps Alumni who served in Spokane and stayed in the public sector in Spokane following our service terms.

509.625.6858 | gryan@spokanecity.org

What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is an AmeriCorps program designed to fight poverty through indirect, capacity-building service.

Why serve?
Enrich your life by helping others. When you serve with Spokane County United Way’s VISTA Program, you join a network of people and organizations dedicated to strengthening Spokane.

Current opportunities:

Summer Associates: Help prevent summer learning loss in Spokane’s youth! Serve full-time for 9 weeks at Spokane County Library District, West Central Community Center, The ZoNE, or Spokane Parks & Recreation. Apply here!
Affordable Housing Specialist VISTA: Build neighborhood capacity for affordable housing as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member in West Central, Spokane! Note: This is a full-time, yearlong volunteer opportunity in partnership with Whitworth University’s Dornsife Center for Community Engagement. Apply here!
Community Outreach VISTA: Build the capacity of community engagement programs in NE Spokane through AmeriCorps VISTA service! Note: This is a full-time, yearlong volunteer opportunity in partnership with Gonzaga University’s Center for Community Engagement. Apply here!

See all opportunities through the VISTA Program. For questions about the VISTA Program, please contact Kaela Loriz at kaelal@unitedwayspokane.org.

Feedback Requested – Downtown Plan Update

February 9, 2021 Emerson Garfield

The Downtown Spokane Partnership and the City of Spokane have begun the process to create a new plan for Downtown. The last plan was adopted in 2008 and the new plan will address the next 10 years.

View the Plan’s public workshop and survey summaries. The City would like to know whether you and your neighbors believe the Plan draft accurately reflects that process. Send initial comments to the project email info@spokanedowntownplan.org by March 16, 2021.

Overview presentation given to the City Plan Commission last month. The presentation shows the key features and functions of the Plan, such as a focus on a connected and walkable Downtown with sidewalks more activated through uses in adjacent buildings and activities along the street.

The Downtown Plan was last updated in 2008. Highlights in this update to support a more connected and walkable Downtown strategy include:

Transforming low-traffic streets by converting travel lanes for bike/scooter and pedestrian facilities, and additional on-street parking, rearranging how space is used within the existing right-of-way on some streets.
There is also a renewed focus on redeveloping several surface parking lots for a mix of residential and commercial office development, as well as parking garages.