SPOKANE, WASH. — The city of Spokane installed new fences Thursday to completely close the pedestrian walkway under the Browne Street Viaduct, marking a significant shift in the city’s approach to addressing crime and homelessness in one of downtown’s most troubled areas.
The decision represents a reversal for Mayor Lisa Brown, who removed similar fencing installed by her predecessor, Nadine Woodward, just months after taking office in 2024. Brown had criticized Woodward’s 2022 fencing project as ineffective, but city officials now say the complete closure is necessary to strengthen public safety and address persistent encampment and community safety concerns.
“It’s necessary to strengthen public safety and make measurable progress in addressing encampment and community safety concerns,” the city wrote in a statement about the new fences.
The key difference between the previous effort and the current one, according to a city spokesperson, is that Brown’s administration is simultaneously expanding hours at the city’s Navigation Center, which connects homeless people to housing and shelter options. Rather than simply pushing people away from the area, city officials say they are creating alternative places for them to go.
The Browne Street Viaduct has been a focal point of debate in Spokane for years. Downtown patrol officers told reporters that crime in the area is rampant, with approximately 480 calls to police about the viaduct over the last six months alone. The location’s isolated nature creates additional challenges for emergency responders and law enforcement, making it difficult and potentially dangerous for EMS or authorities to operate there.
Kurtis Reese, police captain for the downtown precinct, said the viaduct is one of the biggest crime hotspots in the area and conditions there have become increasingly problematic. “It’s also been very hazardous unsanitary conditions because of the human waste, the drugs, the hazards that are down there to put people day in and day out so we had to do something to look at options to make that change,” Reese said.
Clinton Neal, owner of Minuteman Press, a business near the viaduct, has dealt firsthand with the consequences of the area’s problems. He said issues with homeless individuals were particularly common in the first few years he was open, though conditions have improved over time. “The last year or so does seem to be better, it’s less problematic than it was but it definitely still exists and you know hopefully it just keeps getting better,” Neal said. He regularly has to clean human feces and large amounts of trash from his store’s parking lot.
Rob McCann, CEO of Catholic Charities, has long advocated for closing the viaduct. He told reporters that while more shelter and housing are essential components of addressing homelessness, the closure represents progress toward a more compassionate approach.
“More shelter, more housing definitely is part of the answer but compassion and human dignity have to be non-negotiables in our community and I think closing the viaduct is, as crazy as it sounds, it’s a step toward compassion and human dignity,” McCann said.
McCann said he has been asking the city to close the viaduct for decades and hopes the fencing will encourage homeless individuals to seek help.
“What this will do will be maybe the final incentive needed for these very vulnerable, fragile people to say yes to getting help. You know, our hope is that these folks who are shelter averse, who are services averse are now going to say okay, this was the last spot I had,” McCann said.
McCann also noted that many people in Spokane form their opinions about homelessness based on conditions at the viaduct. If the area is cleaned up, he believes it could shift public perception in a more positive direction.
The city is temporarily closing the walkway under the viaduct at the same time construction is beginning on the Pacific Avenue Greenway project, which will build a walkable pathway between downtown and the University District.
Pedestrians can use detour routes at the Division Street underpass or Stevens Street crossings while the viaduct remains closed. As of now, the project has no set timeline, and there is no announced date for when the fences will be removed.
We reached out to the mayor’s office for an interview to ask about the changes and why she thinks it’ll be effective now. They said she wasn’t available.
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