South Perry Business District Enhancement Project
Project Statement:
When the City of Spokane adopted the Centers and Corridors philosophy of growth
management as our vision for the next 25years, implementation became a matter of
revenue. The South Perry Business District Project is a tremendous example of a
Business Association and the City of Spokane partnering together for a revitalization
project. This project begins to implement Spokane’s new Comprehensive Plan with a
well organized local Business District and Neighborhood Council spearheading the effort
by contributing much needed seed money.
Project Summary:
Near the middle of the summer in 2003 the finishing touches were put on a collaborative
enhancement project on Spokane’s lower south hill. Envisioned eighteen months earlier
in 2001 by a forward thinking Business District, Neighborhood Council and with the
assistance of City staff, a ribbon cutting capped off the first enhancement project in a
newly designated neighborhood center.
This project completed a substantial portion of the overall historic South Perry Street
Business District pedestrian safety enhancements and economic revitalization program.
Starting at the core of this district, this project focused on a two block section of Perry
St., a principle arterial, between 9th St. and 11th and included new sidewalks, traffic
calming intersection “bulb-outs”& handicap ramps, pedestrian lighting, street trees and
landscaping, and pedestrian seating areas.
The South Perry Business District Project addressed both existing problems as well as
capitalized upon tremendous potential and opportunities. Being a principle arterial and
primary north/south conduit, Perry St. carries a moderate volume of vehicular traffic
between the South Hill and old Palouse Highway area of Spokane and downtown and
Interstate 90. The South Perry Business District is a classic neighborhood business
district, in a low-income neighborhood bisected by a moderately traveled, two-lane
arterial. Grant Elementary School and Grant Park are located at 9th and 10th
(respectively) and generate a significant amount of pedestrians (children) walking along
and crossing Perry Street. Currently there is no light, nor is one planned, nor were there
any pedestrian buffer elements to provide separation (both physically and
psychologically) from traffic. The intersection improvements reduced the distance
between the curb lines for the pedestrians, provided needed handicap accessibility, and
with the other streetscape enhancements provided the necessary buffer and traffic
calming to allow the business district to begin functioning once again as a neighborhood
center.
This project provided for the construction of pedestrian safety and arterial corridor
enhancements creating a vibrant and lively historic neighborhood business district. In
doing this, the project will be a catalyst for economic revitalization, not only for the
South Perry Business District but for the surrounding low income East Central
neighborhood. This, along with the Commute/Short Trip Reduction program provide a
successful revitalization demonstration model which can replicated in other
neighborhood districts and communities. By improving all modes of travel, including
pedestrian and bicycle, the connectivity of the South Hill and areas beyond to downtown
and Interstate 90 is enhanced. Additionally, pedestrian circulation to Grant Elementary
and Grant Park from the adjoining neighborhoods is made safer, the district becomes
more walkable and pedestrian friendly and economic vitality is realized. The
enhancements and traffic calming elements facilitate bicycle and pedestrian safety and
movement throughout and between the neighborhood and district, while increasing the
vehicular experience along Perry Street. Partnerships include the South Perry Business
Association, the City of Spokane Planning Services, Community Development,
Construction Services, and Transportation Departments.
Most of the buildings that comprise this district were constructed between 1910-1920.
While many have undergone modifications several remain largely intact, with the “Dutch
Windmill” on the National Register, and the overall historic character and potential of the
district clearly evident. In something of a neighborhood renaissance, a handful of small
shops have opened up and organized a business association and renovated their stores. In
partnership with the new South Perry Business Association and the East Central
Neighborhood, the City’s Urban Design Team developed a “District Revitalization
Masterplan”. All of which has generated a significant amount of momentum and
enthusiasm for enhancing this corridor to a lively and vibrant, pedestrian friendly,
neighborhood business district.
To this end, the tremendous potential of this district was demonstrated in the summer of
2001 during the first “Annual South Perry Business District Street Faire”. During this
one day event the shops and businesses, and the local Buddhist Temple, held open houses
and demonstrations. Additionally, an antique car show was held, live music, and ten
ceremonial street tree plantings were completed. Lastly, an overall large rendering of the
“Revitalization Masterplan” was unveiled. Each of the businesses reported sales figures
for the day that were two, three and four times of what an average week would be,
estimates of approximately 50,000 people attended, and the event was nominated for a
“Pride of Washington Award”. And, after viewing the renderings, new businesses joined
the district association and/or expressed desire to locate there.
The revitalization of the South Perry St. District is a component of the East Central
Neighborhood Design Plan Ph. I & II, adopted by the City Plan Commission and City
Council in 1984 & ’86 and are elements of the Spokane Comprehensive Plan. Further
the, draft goals and policies of the new comprehensive plan identify this district as a
neighborhood / mixed use center as well as supports the development of pedestrian
friendly, neighborhood business districts. These draft goals and policies have been
developed through the two year “Spokane Horizons” citizen participation process.
Additionally, the CDBG funds for this project were allocated to the South Perry Business
Association by the East Central Neighborhood Steering Committee and Council during
their Fall allocation process. The revitalization master plan was developed with the
SPBA and Design Committee over the course of numerous public meetings, covered in
numerous articles in the Journal of Business and Spokesman Review as well as public
review over a three month period at local businesses and at the South Perry Street Faire.
The South Perry Business Association and the East Central Neighborhood both supported
this project and with the City, have committed to undertake the ongoing maintenance
responsibility of these improvements through volunteer labor, self assessment, etc…
Further a florist/nursery in the district has committed to providing annual bedding
plants/boxes to individual businesses. Being a low income neighborhood, as well as
fledgling business association, other resources are not available.
The overall project dollars for this project was accumulated through the following
collaboration of dollars:
$37,000 – Hard Match: South Perry Business Association CDBG funds
$8,000 – Soft match: Planning Services Department; Preliminary site design and
planning studies
$254,148 – TEA 21 grant funding.