SPOKANE, Wash. — Trinity Catholic School wants the city to permanently close a section of Cedar Street in the Emerson Garfield neighborhood to expand childcare services and make its campus safer.
The school’s campus spans two city blocks in the neighborhood.
“We are battling drivers. We are battling kids that might not be paying attention. Unsafe pedestrians also,” said Stacie Holcomb, the school’s principal.
The school wants to grow its childcare program, which currently has waiting lists.
“The childcare is as full as it can be,” Holcomb said.
Trinity Catholic plans to build a new educare facility and add therapies on-site.
“We would like to incorporate different therapies on site, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy,” Holcomb said.
The school filed to close Cedar Street between Carlisle and Montgomery.
Asking the city to close the north half altogether, and turn the rest into a one-way street with parking.
“Our goal with the street vacation is to, number one, ensure student safety,” Holcomb said.
Not everyone supports the plan. In City documents, Shannon Hughes raised concerns about emergency responders’ access. Neighbors also worry about parking.
“We’re trying very hard to be good neighbors. And we would ask that student safety be prioritized over parking,” Holcomb said.
Spokane City Engineering recommends against the closure in city documents.
Holcomb says good education requires adequate resources and a safe environment.
“We strive to make sure that we look at the students, how they arrive to us, and then we help them to grow as much as we possibly can in their time with us,” Holcomb said.
The Spokane City Council will decide on the request on Monday.
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