SPOKANE, Wash. — More than 16 businesses are fighting back against the city’s plan to rebuild Spokane Falls Boulevard.
The businesses sent a letter to city officials opposing the reconstruction of the busy street from Lincoln to Division. This section includes access to River Park Square, Riverfront Park and the Convention Center.
“I appreciate that they listened to us, but I think there’s ways they could go about it that would be a lot less impactful,” said Tim O’Doherty, a long-time business owner.
The businesses oppose three main changes. They don’t want the city to convert the one-way street into a two-way road. The boulevard has been one-way for decades.
They also oppose adding bike lanes between Division and Browne streets. They want bike traffic directed to safer areas like the Centennial Trail.
They also emphasize the popular street should remain untouched.
“Spokane Falls Boulevard really feels a very special place in the hearts of many Spokanites,” said Emilie Cameron, president of the Downtown Spokane Partnership. “This is one of the primary access points, when you’re coming into downtown.”
“This has become the lifeblood of this city…” O’Doherty said.
The city held a stakeholder meeting in December, but businesses say they’re still confused about the project.
“Information about the project has been coming in bits and pieces, starts and stops,” Cameron said. “They’ve had an opportunity to attend to community meetings. They’ve had an opportunity to participate in a survey. But then there aren’t real, quite sure what the results are going to be.”
The city plans to start construction in 2028. Officials will release another public survey this month for people to share their thoughts on the project.
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