Each day, information evolves about Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19). At the City, we want our citizens and visitors to know that we are working to reduce the spread of this disease in our community, continue to provide critical City services, and address impacts of closures of schools, business and events.

Gov Inslee Recommends Self-Isolation for People 65 years or Older or with Compromised Health

Today Governor Jay Inslee urged these targeted populations to protect themselves in his public address.

Play Structure Limitations

This afternoon Dr. Bob Lutz, Spokane County Health Officer with SRHD issued an order to close all playground equipment in Spokane County. The order includes the closure of all play structures including equipment for use by children ages six months through 12 years in playground areas and equipment for all ages such as outdoor workout activity stations, consisting of:

Our Parks Department team and additional City staff were able to tape-off and install signage to nearly 60 playgrounds today! Under the current order, green space, parks, trails and natural areas remain open for public use at this time. There is a list of activities the public can enjoy outside. Health officials urge the public to follow the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines on how to stop the spread of germs when choosing to use these recreational spaces. Maintain at least six feet of social distance, and use them with 10 or fewer people. Use hand sanitizer/wash your hands before and after use of public spaces. Avoid using these spaces if you’re sick or have symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who is. 

City Hall Operations

The City of Spokane has now closed City Hall to the public. The lobby will be open for deliveries, and access to public meetings will be maintained. The closure is needed to accommodate the City’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, ensuring proper social distancing and allowing more employees to work from home as directed by the governor. A full list of City services impacts is available on the City’s web site.

“This is a tough decision. In order to maintain our public services, we need to direct our citizens to interact with us through online and phone services,” says Mayor Nadine Woodward. “We are committed to delivering the services that our citizens rely on every day.”

Access to public meetings will be maintained. City Council has moved their weekly committee meetings to City Council Chambers until further notice. Social distancing measures will be implemented during any public meetings. In order to reduce attendance at upcoming meetings, we highly encourage members of the public to comment on upcoming legislation by filling out this contact form.

• City Council Committee meetings at 1:15 p.m. on Mondays in Council Chambers

• City Council Briefing Sessions at 3:30 p.m. on Mondays in Council Chambers

• City Council Legislative Meetings at 6 p.m. on Mondays in Council Chambers

These meetings will also be streamed live on CityCable 5 and the City’s web site. There are no Council meetings currently scheduled for April 6, 2020.

Visiting Waste to Energy

The City is working to maintain critical public services, like disposal of garbage. The City’s Waste-to-Energy Facility is continuing its regular open hours for the public of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. All services, including disposal of trash and yard waste, recycling drop off and household hazardous waste disposal remain available during all open hours. When using the facility, please observe appropriate social distancing both when interacting with scale house staff, on the tipping floor, and in the recycling and household hazardous waste drop off area. Please don’t come to the facility if you are feeling sick. The facility is closed to public tours at this time. 

More Parking Assistance

The City recognizes that daily travel patterns for many in our community have changed and we want to ensure that parking remains available and accessible to those who require it.  For the next 30 days, residential parking passes can be used at any meter and is not limited to all-day meters. Enforcement will also be suspended for the 24 and 72-hour time limit. We hope this adjustment helps those who live downtown. If you have any questions or feedback please email parkspokane@spokanecity.org.

Mayor Nadine Woodward's Update

March 19, 2020

FREE 10-minute parking zones near restaurants in the City core will allow citizens and delivery drivers to efficiently pick up to-go orders. Check out this list of restaurants offering takeout and delivery options.

On the Bright Side

In times like these it's important to notice the good things. We want to share the moments along the way that help tell the story of Spokane's strength in community. This was a nice story from one of our community centers when we checked in with them this week:

" So far so good, youth program is running strong and we not only have our regular youth we are helping feed and have activities for the neighborhood youth. Today there were two children at the park with their grandfather. He has full custody and just got out of the hospital with pneumonia. We invited them to join us for lunch. He had lunch then needed to go home to take a nap. We offered to watch his grandchildren. He was very relieved as he was worried about them while he was napping. His medication knocks him out. They were thrilled to get to hang with their friends and not have to be in the apartment.

This is the 3rd family we have been able to help.

While there is concern we are meeting many people and bonding because of what we are all going through."

A great example of the spirit of Spokane!