I am writing to express my support for increased land use intensity in the West Central neighborhood, especially along the Broadway corridor, and especially in ways that can attract the development of small, neighborhood-focused businesses such as cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, laundromats, and other enterprises that add to the quality of life of residents.
I offer this support as a former resident of West Central (I lived on the corner of Elm and Gardner from 2018-2025) and as someone who still works in the neighborhood. I'm the pastor of the West Central Abbey at 1832 W Dean, and about 20% of our congregation lives in West Central. Additionally, we serve several hundred people annually at our Wednesday night soup kitchen, some of whom have stable, low-income housing in the neighborhood, and others of whom are homeless neighbors.
West Central is already a place of vibrant economic activity. Just down from my church, on the 1700 W block of Dean, is a self-proclaimed "Outlaw Mart" that is both a nuisance to neighbors and a place where locals enjoy getting a cold pop while waiting for the bus. If this kind of entrepreneurship could be channelled into a more effective commercial corridor, frustration in the neighborhood would go down and quality of life for everyone would go up.
Additionally, my congregation is hoping to redevelop a portion of our property in the next few years to better serve the community. Ideas that have been generated so far include dreams of a coffee shop or a childcare center or a health clinic, in addition to providing affordable housing. All of these efforts would be well-supported by increased land use intensity that would allow us to simply do more with the property we have.
I understand concerns about changing the character of the neighborhood, particularly in the western half, which is currently almost entirely single family homes. I would urge the Plan Commission to listen to voices that prioritize the future of the neighborhood rather than its past. I believe that increased land use intensity will create a more vibrant, more healthy, more diversified, and more desireable West Central for generations to come. If you have questions you can reach me at this email.
Peace,
Katy
--
Rev. Katy Shedlock (she/her)
Vicar, West Central Abbey
Director, Iona Program for the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane
Katy Shedlock
Apr 9, 2026
Local Resident
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Dear Plan Commission,
I am writing to express my support for increased land use intensity in the West Central neighborhood, especially along the Broadway corridor, and especially in ways that can attract the development of small, neighborhood-focused businesses such as cafes, restaurants, grocery stores, laundromats, and other enterprises that add to the quality of life of residents.
I offer this support as a former resident of West Central (I lived on the corner of Elm and Gardner from 2018-2025) and as someone who still works in the neighborhood. I'm the pastor of the West Central Abbey at 1832 W Dean, and about 20% of our congregation lives in West Central. Additionally, we serve several hundred people annually at our Wednesday night soup kitchen, some of whom have stable, low-income housing in the neighborhood, and others of whom are homeless neighbors.
West Central is already a place of vibrant economic activity. Just down from my church, on the 1700 W block of Dean, is a self-proclaimed "Outlaw Mart" that is both a nuisance to neighbors and a place where locals enjoy getting a cold pop while waiting for the bus. If this kind of entrepreneurship could be channelled into a more effective commercial corridor, frustration in the neighborhood would go down and quality of life for everyone would go up.
Additionally, my congregation is hoping to redevelop a portion of our property in the next few years to better serve the community. Ideas that have been generated so far include dreams of a coffee shop or a childcare center or a health clinic, in addition to providing affordable housing. All of these efforts would be well-supported by increased land use intensity that would allow us to simply do more with the property we have.
I understand concerns about changing the character of the neighborhood, particularly in the western half, which is currently almost entirely single family homes. I would urge the Plan Commission to listen to voices that prioritize the future of the neighborhood rather than its past. I believe that increased land use intensity will create a more vibrant, more healthy, more diversified, and more desireable West Central for generations to come. If you have questions you can reach me at this email.
Peace,
Katy
--
Rev. Katy Shedlock (she/her)
Vicar, West Central Abbey
Director, Iona Program for the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane