Neighborhood Notification – Page 2 – Emerson-Garfield Community

Libraries on the Move during Renovations

November 22, 2019 Emerson Garfield

Last November, voters overwhelmingly approved the Spokane Public Library bond measure to remodel four existing libraries and build three new libraries.

The two libraries closest to our neighborhood, Shadle Library and Downtown Library, will be closing this winter and temporarily relocating during renovations.

Shadle Library will close on December 22, 2019. Their temporary location will be in Northtown Mall. This location will open on January 2, 2020.

Downtown Library will close on February 29, 2020. Their temporary location will be in the STA Plaza. This location will open on March 2, 2020.

Learn more about the future plans for Spokane Public Library.

Short Land Use Study on North Monroe – Volunteers needed

October 24, 2019 Emerson Garfield

The City of Spokane is initiating a short land-use study process regarding the North Monroe Corridor and the residential uses around it which is being led by Kara Mowery and Kevin Freibott at the City Neighborhood and Planning Services Department.

At this point, the North Monroe Corridor has been designated and planned, and the City has updated its Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code policies accordingly. However, when the City considers the transition between the Corridor and the surrounding Emerson-Garfield neighborhood, as well as the current extreme need for housing in the City and the opportunities presented by unique centers like North Monroe, the City Council and the planning staff feel it might be worthwhile to explore changing some of the land uses and zoning around the corridor. That might mean more medium-density residential zones in the immediate vicinity of the Corridor or it might mean another more specialized solution.

The City of Spokane looking to convene a stakeholder committee, a small group (~10) of dedicated individuals willing to meet three or four times to discuss the issues and develop possible solutions. The City of Spokane is in a bit of a bind because the timeline for this study is rather short. The City would like to have a proposal identified by the end of the year, so the meetings will be taking place between October 28 and November 15. Dates and times TBD. Interested parties may also attend these initial stakeholder meetings to observe the process; the City of Spokane will have a window at the end of each meeting to hear comments from any members of the public who would like to speak.

The stakeholder group will be focused on developing a proposed plan of action that would achieve the following:

Consider land use changes by engaging neighborhood stakeholders and exploring alternatives.
Focus on providing a transition between CC and residential zoning in appropriate locations to reduce land use conflicts between neighbors.
Consider allowing mixed-use and multifamily uses where not currently allowed (rezone?).
Support recent investments in transit and infrastructure on North Monroe with additional nearby housing opportunities.
Support walkable and cohesive public realm on cross and parallel streets to Monroe.

This is a map the City of Spokane has made showing the zoning around the corridor as well as the bus stops, one of the many factors the City is look at when considering these kinds of projects. The City of Spokane working on some background research and information and will shortly have a webpage and informational materials for everyone to read and engage with.

In the meantime, all are welcome to provide input in a variety of ways during this process, including by calling (509.625.6146), emailing (kmowery@spokanecity.org), filling out the online survey (to be posted shortly), or by attending a City of Spokane public workshop at the end of the year.

The City of Spokane will be posting all of this information to the webpage: https://my.spokanecity.org/projects/transitional-residential-uses-on-north-monroe-corridor-project/.

Interested parties may also attend these initial stakeholder meetings to observe the process; the City of Spokane will have a window at the end of each meeting to hear comments from any members of the public who would like to speak.

Volunteer Opportunity – Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels

September 30, 2019 Emerson Garfield

Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels provides meals across all of Spokane County. For nearly one-third of the participants, this is the only meal they will eat today.

They are experiencing an acute shortage of volunteers to help with meal delivery, especially in the Emerson/Garfield neighborhood.

Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels delivered almost 275,000 meals to homebound senior citizens in 2018. More than 300 volunteers deliver 22,000 meals each month to residents throughout all of 1,800 miles of Spokane County.

They are asking the Emerson/Garfield community for help in spreading the word about our services. Participants must be 60 years old or older and they pay only what they can afford – no one is refused because of a lack of ability to pay. They offer home delivery and also operate 12 congregate meal sites where seniors can enjoy a hot meal in comfort in the company of their peers.

The issue of senior hunger and isolation are complicated and immense and our agency cannot conquer it alone. Please join in the fight. If you have any questions, call Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels anytime and speak to an intake specialist or volunteer coordinator. 509-924-6976

Feel free to post and distribute this flyer.

Market Manager Opportunity

September 20, 2019 Emerson Garfield

Reminder – last weeks of this season’s market!
Friday, September 20 – Craft Walk
Friday, September 27 – Last market of the season

The Emerson-Garfield Farmers’ Market is looking for a new manager to lead the market into its eighth season in 2020.

This is a unique and profoundly rewarding volunteer opportunity for someone — or several someones — to make a lasting impact on multiple fronts:

Helping fledgling or small-scale farmers get a vital foothold in the local economy.
Providing nonprofits and other organizations with an effective, face-to-face outreach platform.
Increasing access to healthy, affordable, locally grown food beyond the high-disposable-income demographic.
Hosting a positive, vibrant, community-oriented event in a space that would otherwise be empty.
Bringing together individuals, couples and families whose paths might not cross under any other circumstances.
Contributing to a more sustainable food system.
The list goes on.

The current manager has overseen the market for the past seven years. In that time, the vendor count has grown along with foot traffic, volunteers, community partnerships and regular activities/events. A new manager would be taking control of that established platform and all its possibility.

Lack of experience isn’t a disqualifying factor. What’s far more important is dedication, resourcefulness and vision.

This role also isn’t limited to one person. If you’d like to divvy up the managerial responsibilities and work alongside others as a team, that should be doable.

The current manager is committed to advising and actively volunteering, and there’s an existing pool of committed volunteers from the Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council who are willing to handle specialized roles (e.g., music booking, volunteer coordination, kids’ activities) and assist with setup, point of sale and teardown during market days.

And, finally, there is the possibility of pay. There are potential funding sources and other resources that could be pursued should that be a priority of the new manager(s).

If you’re interested, pleased e-mail market@emersongarfield.org or call (509) 255-3072. You can also stop by the market on any of the next three Fridays in September (3 to 7pm, 2310 N Monroe) and come to the market info booth.

Without a manager (or managers) firmly in place by January, it’s unlikely that the market will be able to continue.