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Before moving too much farther into 2008, the Spokane Valley City Council took advantage of a light agenda last Tuesday for one last look back at 2007. But it’s 2008 that will be of most interest to park users.
Mike Jackson, deputy city manager, led a half-hour presentation on the accomplishments of Spokane Valley in the last year, which also offered a glimpse of what’s in store for ’08. And near the top of the list are planned improvements for Valley Mission Park, located on Mission Avenue just west of Bowdish Road.
Jackson said the city has about $400,000 in the bank to get started on about $900,000 in renovation work to the park. The project will be done in phases, with the remainder of the work to be done later.
Still, some of the things to be done first will be some of the most noticeable to park users.
Jackson said that new playground would be added and existing equipment would be expanded. This will include climbing rocks and equipment – like smaller slides, climbing rocks and swing sets – for younger users.
He also said that two new picnic shelters would be added that could be combined for large groups.
“It will have that flexibility,” he said.
New walkways and picnic tables will also be added, and the drinking fountain will also be updated. Park visitors should also expect to see new lighting installed to brighten up the place, Jackson said.
Shrubbery along the west side of the property will also be removed to “open up” the hillside. New grass will be put in its place.
Council Member Steve Taylor inquired whether or not adjacent property owners were aware the bushes would be coming down – Jackson said no.
Eventually, more parking will be added and an additional $100,000 sophisticated lighting system that will be “dark sky” friendly to not add to “light pollution.”
In other news, the council got an update of some of the legal issues in forming a transportation benefit district to help pay for street maintenance in the future. Under a new law passed by the Legislature, municipalities are allowed to assess up to a $20 fee to license tab renewals without a vote for the specific purpose of transportation improvements.
County officials have mulled the possibility of their own fee in order to spur progress on the north-south freeway. Cary Driskell, deputy city attorney, said the city and county could have their own separate fees in place, but if the combined amount exceeded $20 a vote would be necessary.
“We’re getting a better understanding all the time of this new legislation,” Driskell said.
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By
Mike Huffman
