[metroman]

Spokane has really shined lately as a prime location to live, work and conduct business.The"Lilac City" is gaining increased national attention for it's many successful hosted, community and sporting events. These are indeed exciting times for the city and it's citizens, as we are witness to a rebirth of a more vibrant city and region.

Questions:

1.)What event or occurrences do you believe sparked Spokane's new focus?

2.)What elements do you believe makes the Spokane metro area vibrant or not?

[Hub for an Empire]

^^^ I think Riverpark Square really started everything in 1999 (Even though the city had to lose some blood in the process). After that, the Davenport Hotel started the trend of restoring Spokane's vast inventory of older buildings. Lastly, Skate America 2002, really gave the city some direction to pursue new things to keep the region vibrant!

I think Spokane's natural setting is a real asset for it's quality of living. Spokane's older buildings are over 100 years now, so they are in a prime position to be reused in new ways......shops, pubs, etc...... that will keep the city vibrant in the future. Most cities can't compare to Spokane's history and older architecture! Lastly, the U-District will direct the city to new educational areas, that will increase business in the City in the future!

[revrw]

In short...I would have to agree with hub as far as what started it. Riverpark Square has been a nice catalyst for downtown. I also think that some of the local developers taking risks and receiving a nice payoff has helped. That has always been a knock on Spokane. Nobody has been willing to take any risks on bigger projects here because of the community being so pessimistic. That is beginning to change and I am seeing more optimisim in the region.

As far as vibrancy is concerned, I think being a regional hub helps us there, however, I feel as though that is an area we are lacking in. I would like to see greater density in the downtown core. Instead of proposing height restrictions downtown, I would propose height minimums. Nothing under 8-10 floors. Or give various tax incentives for the number of floors. Spokane does not really need to worry about height restrictions in the downtown core yet. I have heard some talk about that which seems to be a stretch. I think core density would do wonders for the perception of vibrancy of Spokane. It is really all about perception, and most visitors to Spokane stay in the core. The older structures are nice, but they are even better when complimented by some modern structures that give people the idea that Spokane is going somewhere and that Spokane is on the cutting edge. We need to appear more progressive if we want to attract more young professionals!

[mSeattle]

I think Spokane will have to be (not just "appear") more progressive to attract more young people and those who desire living in more density. It will happen sooner or later, or more and more later depending on the players and decisions in city hall/city council and boards of business, education, technology.

[chepe]

1) I think the new attention to the downtown area was/is a huge key for sparking Spokane's focus. Being an 'older' (relatively) city Spokane's downtown is a focal point for the city. This is in contrast to some places, Phoenix for example, which developed in ways where a focal downtown was less dominant. As many can attest, there was a point 15 years ago or so where downtown was really dormant. Other than professionals working M-F 9/5 it was pretty quiet. The Davenport was not open, RiverPark Square was outdated and pretty empty, there were few restaurants/bars, no true movie theater, the Fox was a second run movie house in bad shape, the West 1st area was in very poor shape, NorthTown was threatening to draw all significant retailers away from the core, etc. In my opinion this caused the collective mindset that Spokane was a place where nothing really happened and was on track for a sort of slow decay or, at best, would tread water.

The decision to refocus and reinvest in downtown has really changed the outlook for many about what is possible in Spokane. There have been growing pains but before Worthy reopened the Davenport there was a pretty long line of people who wouldn't put their money up to do the renovation because they didn't think Spokane could carry a major upscale hotel. Well, Worthy took a chance and has been amazingly successful (building an addition that was Spokane's first new highrise in decades). RiverPark Square's redevelopment was another major catalyst as was the new Arena. Along with the anchor developments, smaller infill projects have made a big impact. The SteamPlant showed how great adaptive reuse was possible with Spokane's stock of older buildings. The Fox not falling to the wrecking ball was a major positive that may not have happened without the other things coming first. Bars, restaurants and retail have popped up in almost all corners of downtown.

When you step back and compare things now with then, it is amazing what a difference there is. Downtown still has plenty of room to improve but, generally, it seems that it is a place where people tend to view things as possible and at least are floating ideas rather than a place where nothing is going on and where nobody would be sane to tackle a project, large or small.

Okay, enough of the longwinded answer.

[Fiat Lux]

Spokane should advertise itself as the "Gateway to the Northern Rockies." It is just a few hours drive from Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, Glacier National Park, etc. I expect more businesses to relocate to the Spokane area in the near future because of the quality of life and scenic splendor, unless Olympia does something to poison the water.

[Fiat Lux]

I think Spokane will have to be (not just "appear") more progressive to attract more young people and those who desire living in more density.

What's your defintion of progressive? Is it striving for general progress or striving for socialisim? Most people clammering for progressiveness these days are actually clammering for socialism, and that would murder Spokane. Spokane needs to become progressive in the sense that they get out of the way and let the people build their own Spokane. Regulations, restrictions, high taxes, etc. are not progressive in my book.

[metroman]

Spokane should advertise itself as the "Gateway to the Northern Rockies." It is just a few hours drive from Sandpoint, Coeur d'Alene, Glacier National Park, etc. I expect more businesses to relocate to the Spokane area in the near future because of the quality of life and scenic splendor, unless Olympia does something to poison the water.

I like "Gateway to the Northern Rockies." now that sounds more inviting than "Near Nature,Near Perfect"....lol the "Near Perfect" part of that sounds as if something is still lacking.:rolleyes:

[metroman]

What's your defintion of progressive? Is it striving for general progress or striving for socialisim? Most people clammering for progressiveness these days are actually clammering for socialism, and that would murder Spokane. Spokane needs to become progressive in the sense that they get out of the way and let the people build their own Spokane. Regulations, restrictions, high taxes, etc. are not progressive in my book.

You both make great points...which begs the question...Does does a vibrant community need to be progressive too? Is one the result of the other?

[Fiat Lux]

I think individual people make up a vibrant community, not the directive of the elite. Some cities with great geography can get around this, but everywhere else, if you restrain people's dreams, you generally end up losing.

Some people think regulations and intrusive planning is progressive, I don't agree. I guess the word progressive is meaningless these days as it means something different to different people.

Spokane has tons of potential, it just needs to be released, not restrained.

[metroman]

I think individual people make up a vibrant community, not the directive of the elite.
Spokane has tons of potential, it just needs to be released, not restrained.

I agree :cheers:

[mSeattle]

What's my definition of "progressive"? Fair enough question. I'll answer if you tell me what your definition of "regulations". ;)

Some people think regulations and intrusive planning is progressive, I don't agree. I guess the word progressive is meaningless these days as it means something different to different people.

[metroman]

Here's a balance view of Spokane...Hum...nice skyline photo near the bottom of the page.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Spokane


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dd/SpokaneDTPanorama.jpg

"All new skyscrapers built in Spokane are subject to city height restrictions, and therefore, any new efforts to build major buildings are hampered. Recently, a local developer (Rob Brewster) has proposed building the new VOX Tower which, if approved, will become the tallest building in Spokane."

ln light of these restrictions, I think Spokane needs to hurry and build the Vox Tower before a much smaller regional community,such as, Tri-Cities or Coeur d' Alene attracts the Inland Northwest's tallest building.The city has lots of room to build and build tall, but until some landmark development of density above the 300ft. is constructed, builders could opt. for other nearby cities or head to the coast.

[chepe]

Unfortunately, the VOX tower was never really more than a nice rendering and a lot of hope. I'd still love to see a new signature tower for Spokane. We don't need 50 stories or anything just a nice, non-boxy tower of around 350 feet would be great.

[Fiat Lux]

I'll answer if you tell me what your definition of "regulations".

Govt. restraint of freedom. I am not against simple codes, but I am against imposing regulations that hold dreams back.

[alexjon]

A lot of these regulations tend to favor existing land owners and land owners rich enough to block out the intentions of new developers.

Mostly pushed by-- oh, I can't even go there. Too easy.

[sustainable]

The real "height restriction" for the Vox Tower was the developer. That tower could have been built across all of the CBD, but this was on the periphery of downtown where the heights start coming down. Towers can be built downtown and City Hall would gladly help.

[sustainable]

and metroman - thanks for starting a great thread!

[metroman]

and metroman - thanks for starting a great thread!

Oh...thanks.:) ....

[metroman]

and metroman - thanks for starting a great thread!

Oh...thanks.:) I'm really enjoying the discussion, Everyone here shares great insight and knowledge.:D ...fun stuff.

[OhioGuy]

Spokane is doing well with US Figure Skating. First they were able to attract Skate America. Then they were awarded the 2007 US Figure Skating Championships. It ended up being the most successful national championships US Figure Skating has ever held. Now just last week Spokane was awarded the 2010 US Figure Skating Championships which act as the qualified for the US Olympic team. This city will be thrust into not only the national spotlight, but the international spotlight due to it being an Olympic year. Congrats to the city!

[mSeattle]

Govt. restraint of freedom. I am not against simple codes, but I am against imposing regulations that hold dreams back.

Hmm, has a nice sound on the surface. Could be the definition of progressive. Course, the devil is in the details.

[metroman]

Found these basic downtown core concepts used in CD'A Idaho interest.
http://www.cdaid.org/mod/userpage/images/DC.pdf