-
Of the $41M figure quoted $26M is just for the
proposed extension of Appleway
east of University. Traditionally 80% of the
funding for roads/arterials is paid by state and
federal grants. This is a 20 year plan
and the additional 20% to be paid over that time
is about $400K a year and much of that cost will
be paid back by developers. There has never been
any intention to raise taxes to pay for the
revitalization plan. To
suggest there is such a plan is to read the
mind of future councilmember’s.
-
Revitalization is a must for
Sprague Avenue. Due to many factors, the loss
of property value and business lessees is due to
the change to a one way street. It was
County Government prior to Spokane Valley
incorporation using out of date
modeling that misdirected this effort.
-
Zone Downsizing is not an
appropriate term – zoning will permit new uses
of the property. Experts advise there will be
increased property value and commensurate
property tax collections relieving residential
taxes. We need to ask it is not a worthy goal
to increase the value of land along Sprague
Avenue?
-
There have been no zone changes yet; all
concerns or problems need to be taken to
planning and the council. An effort to scare
property owners with change is not fruitful for
the community. A very large number of hearings
have already been held to discuss the effort.
-
A revitalized Sprague
Avenue
establishing a city center is considered
important by most everyone that took the time to
participate in the many hearings. It is one of
the critical charges for a new city to establish
a city center.
-
To those opposed to the plan we can only ask:
What
alternative do you suggest to improve the health
and viability of Sprague Avenue?
-
The anti-group suggests there should be “economic
incentives” for changes; in the state of
Washington this is not legal. Gifting is
illegal, however after the plan is in place some
incentives such as Tax Increment Financing or
others can be sought.
-
The traffic problem is being discussed by
citizens and council members working on a twenty
year plan. The three options are: all one way;
all two way or some hybrid of the two. No
decision has been made; any change will have to
be financed by grants.
-
When a city hall has been designed, a
financial plan will be developed to pay for it.
At the time of incorporation the City Council
wisely set up a reserve fund for a future city
hall, at this time the city has $6M in that
account, while it continues to pay rent of
$438,000.00 per year.
Why should the
City continue to pay rent when they could build
and own their City Hall and over time save
taxpayers money.
-
The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce
and the Spokane Valley Business Association
after a great deal of discussion have
endorsed the plans’ concepts. We believe a
healthy business community encourages a healthy
residential community.
