Walking With Woodward

Northeast Youth Center making lemonade triple the fun. 

City Reactivates Cooling Plan Due To Predicted Hot Temperatures

Spokane Public Library branches will extend operating hours beginning today, Tuesday, Aug. 16, to provide indoor cooling areas for people seeking relief from extreme temperatures being forecast through Sunday, Aug. 21.

Central (906 W. Main St.), Shadle (2111 W. Wellesley Ave.), Liberty Park (402 S. Pittsburg St.), and Hillyard (4110 N. Cook St.) branches will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today through Thursday. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

National Weather Service Spokane (NWS Spokane) is indicating the “Excessive Heat Warning” will remain in effect until Sunday. The activation is part of the City’s cooling plan when temperatures are forecast to reach 95 degrees or higher for two or more days. 

For more information visit our website.

City Takes More Steps Towards for Housing Solutions

City of Spokane Planning Services staff worked with Council President Beggs, Council Member Bingle and Council Member Zappone to develop and propose changes to update the Multifamily Tax Exemption program.

The ordinance shores up the policies needed to increase housing units. Yesterday’s action regarding the Multifamily Tax Exemption aligns Spokane Municipal Code with updated state Revised Code of Washington laws:

• Fee updates to cover current costs
• Making the eligible areas for Multifamily Tax Exemption to include the Spokane Targeted Investment Area (34 low-income census tracts) with Affordable Housing Emphasis areas
• Tax exemption duration periods for developers to include 8 year, 12 year and new 20 year programs
• Requirements for relocation assistance for low-income households and new reporting requirements (local and state compliance audits)

For more information visit our website. 

Spokane Parks Seeks Input on Future Dog Parks

City of Spokane Parks & Recreation is seeking community input to help guide the development of future dog parks citywide over the next several years. A survey is available now through Monday, Sept. 5.

Learn More About Building Opportunity and Choices for All

Know a contractor, developer, or property owner who might be interested in developing townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes under the pilot program? Curious what the new pilot program means for your neighborhood? Staff will be holding open houses to give an overview of the interim zoning ordinance and the pilot timeframe, before hosting Q&A sessions. 

Unity in the Community

The 28th annual Unity in the Community event is this Friday, Aug. 20 at Riverfront Park. This is the Inland Northwest area's largest multi-cultural showcase. It is fun for the whole family, and completely free with free school supplies. Come make lasting connections and memories with your community. Click here for more information. 

Reimagining South Logan with Transit Oriented Design

Help us develop a focused vision for the future of the South Logan area to create a walkable and vibrant sense of place. Take the South Logan Transit Oriented Development survey!

Small Business and Nonprofit Grant Opportunity

Another round of Working Washington pandemic relief grants are on the way, with focus on the arts, heritage and science sectors and businesses relying on in-person conventions. Applications open Wednesday, Aug. 17 and are due Friday, Sept. 9

Council Recap

Spokane City Council Member Karen Stratton recaps the Monday, Aug. 15, City Council meeting.

Don Kardong Pedestrian Bridge Renovation

The old Don Kardong bridge decking and handrails are officially GONE! The wood will now be replaced with new concrete decking, new overlooks with ADA accessible platforms, minor concrete pier replacement, guardrails, installation of a new lighting system, and bollards. Construction expected through April 2023. Learn more about the Kardong bridge project on our website.

District Two Traffic Calming Workshops

Join us at an upcoming traffic calming workshop! Learn about the new Traffic Calming program and share your ideas on how our neighborhoods can be safer, better connected and more livable for everyone. To find your neighborhood's workshop visit our website.

Mayor's Office Now on Instagram

Follow the City of Spokane’s Mayor’s Office on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to say up to date on news from the Mayor’s Office!

Water Wise Tip

Studies show up to 50% of water at commercial properties is used unnecessarily. Learn how to make your business Water Wise with a FREE water consultation! Saving water while saving money = a win all around.

Coronavirus Information

COVID-19 Vaccines

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
• Everyone 6 months and older are now eligible to get a free COVID-19 vaccination.
• Everyone 5 years and older is eligible for boosters.
• Learn about the different vaccines available.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

Drive-up and walk-up COVID-19 testing sites are open to the community. These testing sites offer free testing and are open to anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Need Mental Health Help?

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 9-8-8

Contact 24/7: Frontier Crisis Line (877) 266-1818

Contact or Walk-In: Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (509) 992-1888

CHAS Health: (509) 444-8200

Excelsior Wellness Center: (509) 559-3100

Request Online Appointment

Help for children, adults and families is available via telehealth.

Teen Text and Chat Line: 844-814-TEEN (8336)

Free confidential safe place service available to any teen or young adult.

Veterans Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255

Need Resources? 

Call Washington 211 at 2-1-1 or (877) 211-9274 to speak to a local agent

Text your Zip Code to 898211 or email ew211@incontactmail.com

Apply for Basic Food assistance over the phone!

Access to resources online at: wa211.org

Sign up for their Newsletter!

Utility Assistance

There are Resident Assistance programs for emergency help to pay for City utility bills, which include charges for water, wastewater, stormwater and garbage collection. Interest-free payment plans are also available for residential and commercial customers.

Rent Assistance Application Portals Open

Application portals for emergency rent assistance for City landlords and tenants facing hardships during the pandemic will be open as funding allows. See press release or FAQs for more details. Organizations that are reviewing applications also offer paper applications. 

Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives

The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are over 30 Boards, Commissions and Committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion and get involved!

Community Science Urban Heat Project

Gonzaga's Center for Climate, Society, and the Environment has launched Spokane Beat the Heat, which is a multi-year program that seeks to increase Spokane's understanding of and readiness for extreme heat events.

This summer, volunteers will be mapping Urban Heat Islands in the City of Spokane to better understand where our heat vulnerabilities are. Volunteers will drive routes and collect crucial temperature data with technology from the Climate Center's partners at CAPA Strategies and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Electric vehicle owners are urged to sign up to help Spokane Beat the Heat reduce our carbon footprint as we gather this important data! 

If you want to learn more, or are interested in volunteering to help Spokane form resilient communities click here.

Summer Fun: Outdoor Movie Night

The Grandview-Thorpe Neighborhood Council invites the entire community to its free annual Movie Night that’s made possible with a Community Engagement Grant from the City of Spokane. “Sing 2” will be shown on Thursday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m. at Grandview Park. Bring a blanket or chair and popcorn and enjoy the show!

On the Bright Side

About 15 kids are heading back to school in style after Shop with a Cop. Thanks to Dick’s Sporting Goods and Spokane Police Foundation for the generous donation to families in need.