My Preferred Spokane City 2046 Draft Alternative is: Alternative 3 - Center City and Regional Hubs. This alternative provides the most efficient use of public funds and land available for higher density developments and allows the use of existing or improved transit for public transportation. Significant improvements in vehicle movement within these areas, however, should not be overlooked.
Assuming new residents will use transit may prove to be a bad assumption leading to increased traffic congestion and pollution unless significant reworking of existing roadway access and transit facilities aimed at rideship quality are implemented.
It is still "the bus" in Spokane and lacks the appeal of a light rail system (which Spokane has squandered the possibility of installing economically) and will take some convincing of the public to use at scale. Very high density housing should be focused downtown with necessary supporting businesses, especially grocery and pharmacy, encouraged.
Look to other cities in the PNW with high density residential in the city core and how they have managed inner-city transportation (i.e., Portland - fareless square). Existing neighborhood livability sould be maintained at all costs. Don't make the mistake of assuming higher density will be received in existing neighborhoods without legal repercussions.
Treat current homeowners with respect and involve them in any change in their neighborhood well before changes are made.
Eliminate the "good-ole-boy" attitude the city has toward developers and require them to complete the full range of obligations to develop - we are still waiting for the promised sidewalks on South Upper Terrace between E 17th and South Rockwood Blvd while the developer continues to build multi-million dollar homes. Get real and start being fair.
Robert Flowers
Feb 15, 2026
Local Resident
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My Preferred Spokane City 2046 Draft Alternative is: Alternative 3 - Center City and Regional Hubs. This alternative provides the most efficient use of public funds and land available for higher density developments and allows the use of existing or improved transit for public transportation. Significant improvements in vehicle movement within these areas, however, should not be overlooked.
Assuming new residents will use transit may prove to be a bad assumption leading to increased traffic congestion and pollution unless significant reworking of existing roadway access and transit facilities aimed at rideship quality are implemented.
It is still "the bus" in Spokane and lacks the appeal of a light rail system (which Spokane has squandered the possibility of installing economically) and will take some convincing of the public to use at scale. Very high density housing should be focused downtown with necessary supporting businesses, especially grocery and pharmacy, encouraged.
Look to other cities in the PNW with high density residential in the city core and how they have managed inner-city transportation (i.e., Portland - fareless square). Existing neighborhood livability sould be maintained at all costs. Don't make the mistake of assuming higher density will be received in existing neighborhoods without legal repercussions.
Treat current homeowners with respect and involve them in any change in their neighborhood well before changes are made.
Eliminate the "good-ole-boy" attitude the city has toward developers and require them to complete the full range of obligations to develop - we are still waiting for the promised sidewalks on South Upper Terrace between E 17th and South Rockwood Blvd while the developer continues to build multi-million dollar homes. Get real and start being fair.
Robert Flowers