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Spokane staff outline Complete Streets update to require bike, pedestrian amenities and safe construction passage
Summary
City staff described an update to the Complete Streets ordinance that would remove exceptions so more intersections and streets are built to bicycle and pedestrian plan standards and require pedestrian passage through construction zones to meet ADA goals.
City staff presented an update to the city’s Complete Streets ordinance at a site presentation at Sinto in the Lincoln neighborhood, saying the change would remove exceptions that previously let some projects skip bicycle and pedestrian amenities and would require pedestrian passage through construction zones to support Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
The update "takes away exceptions for different projects that we had in the original ordinance so that more intersections and streets will be built with all of the amenities that are called for in the bicycle master plan, the pedestrian master plan, and our upcoming Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Plan," Staff member 1, a city staff member, said at the site.
Staff said the change matters because it aims to make the city’s recent investments in bike and pedestrian infrastructure universal rather than optional. "We have another great example right on Maxwell by the community center and the pool," Staff member 2, a city staff member, said, pointing to completed or ongoing projects in neighborhood corridors.
Under the proposed approach staff described, construction projects would need to provide a pedestrian passageway through work zones except when a sidewalk is being entirely replaced. Staff said the goal is to avoid forcing people on foot to walk an extra block or multiple blocks to complete a trip. "It's one thing to go around a block around when you're in a car, but it's another to go a block or two or three out of your way on foot," Staff member 2 said.
As one concrete example staff cited, a roundabout project on Assembly in Francis currently leaves pedestrian access limited to one side; staff said a sign at that site offers to assist pedestrians through the construction zone and directs people to a phone number for help. The presentation said staff can escort pedestrians through the work or assist people with mobility impairments who call the number on the sign.
Staff framed the ordinance update as part of a broader, ongoing effort to align street projects with the bicycle master plan, pedestrian master plan and an upcoming ADA compliance plan. Staff also encouraged residents to follow the Spokane Transportation Commission’s activities and to notify council members about dangerous intersections or pedestrian mobility issues at spokanecity.org.
The remarks at Sinto were a staff presentation and did not include a vote or formal action by the council; staff described proposed changes and examples but did not record a formal decision at that event.
For residents seeking to raise specific safety or access concerns, staff urged contacting council members or the Spokane Transportation Commission through the city website.
