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A plan to revitalize and return two-traffic to Sprague Avenue may drive some businesses right out of town.
Those fears were expressed before the City Council on Tuesday night as about 70 returned to CenterPlace for the continuation of a public hearing on a proposed plan that’s designed to accommodate a future city center and bring back a robust business district to the Sprague/Appleway corridor.
But the vast majority of those who spoke said that zone changes and slowing traffic down would not bring about the desired result.
“It makes no sense to me,” said Rob Nordhagen, a used car dealer on Sprague. “I’m asking you guys to get some more input before this all happens with a stroke of the pen.”
Most in attendance feared down-zoning of properties – many of them far from the proposed new city centered planned for the University City area – from commercial uses to new categories that would allow for residential development. The resulting nonconforming status, they said, would cut the value of their properties in half.
Others were worried about proposals that would require adherence to strict new standards should they plan major renovations to their businesses, or that they would be required to give up land or pay for new streets.
“We can’t even maintain our existing roads,” said Dean Grafos. “Obviously, we’re going to have to have tax increases to fund this grandiose scheme.”
Some questioned how the plan grew to encompass such a large area.
“Our downtown city center is not (going to be) six miles long,” said Dan Harter, who also has affected property in the area. “How did we go from a city center to six miles?”
While the hearing was designated to only hear testimony on the transportation portion of the revitalization plan – goals and the zoning details were heard July 29 – the council was receptive for comments on all aspects, only pausing for clarification on key points.
Some suggestions included extending one-way east Appleway Boulevard to Sullivan, moving City Hall to Mirabeau Point and leaving the Sprague zoning classifications alone. However, consultants hired by the city say the strip malls and vast commercial designation of Sprague will not be good for Spokane Valley in the long run. Instead, mixed commercial and residential uses, green spaces and landscaping, and pedestrian-friendly walkways would encourage new development.
That advice appears to be contrary to the 31 who spoke against some or the entire plan Tuesday. The most vocal of the supporters – and there were a handful – was Sprague Avenue businessman Dick Behm, representing the Spokane Valley Business Association and a longtime proponent of a two-way Sprague Avenue.
“Now is not the time for opposition,” Behm said. “Everyone has had more than enough time to participate in the planning and voice their concerns, and many of those concerns have been addressed.”
The first phase of the plan calls for Sprague Avenue to be five lanes both ways from Dishman-Mica to University roads. Appleway Boulevard would be three lanes both directions. Slower speed limits would, in theory, entice pedestrians back to Sprague.
However, the projected two-and-a-half-minute delay in travel time along Sprague would also bring back the gridlock of the 1990s.
“The couplet is a great people mover,” said Jack Bean. “An idling car is not a good thing. Move people, get them home from work.”
Bean added that he doubted the businesses or shoppers would flock to Sprague or a new city center and suggested the council lose the “Mayberry mentality” from the old “Andy Griffith Show.”
“We’re not San Francisco, we’re not Seattle,” he said. “We don’t have the attractions. They’re not going to see Barney, Andy or Goober.”
A few in attendance were perplexed why they were not notified that a zone changes were possible. Others said the best way to settle the matter is for the city to finalize its plan and then put it before the electorate for an up-or-down vote.
While the council has not scheduled any more public hearings on the plan, the city will take written comments until 5 p.m. Aug. 29. They may be e-mailed to dgriffith@spokanevalley.org or mailed to City of Spokane Valley, SARP Comments, 11707 E. Sprague, Suite 106, Spokane Valley, WA 99206.
The council will begin its deliberations on the plan starting next Tuesday’s meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall. No public comments will be taken at that time.
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By
Mike Huffman
