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City seeks 'festival streets' list, clearer playbook for special events and street closures
Summary
Staff presented an ordinance that would identify recurring 'festival streets' and create a standardized permitting playbook for special events to reduce staff time and potential costs; the committee discussed cost recovery, traffic control, and operational details such as event fire-extinguisher procedures.
City staff presented a proposal to the Urban Experience Committee to compile a list of designated "festival streets" and create standardized guidance for permitting and traffic control for recurring special events.
Mr. McDaniel, the staff presenter, said the approach mirrors prior efforts — play streets and block-party simplifications — and is intended to reduce staff time and help event organizers plan. Staff worked with Visit Spokane and councilmembers to identify candidate streets where the city already understands the traffic control devices and costs required for closures.
"When a special event goes to get their permit online, these streets will be listed as potential options with a generalized cost of what it will take to actually shut them down," McDaniel said. He emphasized that the ordinance intends to provide guardrails rather than foreclose permitting of other closures.
Committee members pressed staff on cost and process. One councilmember asked whether the plan would raise existing fees; McDaniel said the current ordinance language includes cost-recovery considerations but also noted the mayor had frozen permanent fee increases and that staff expected to reach a fair approach that balances taxpayer protection and event costs. He clarified that existing specific fees (an example cited: $500 for Hilliard Market Street) would remain unchanged in the draft as presented.
Members also discussed operational details; one councilmember suggested the city maintain a pool of fire extinguishers to avoid event disruptions when vehicles are part of parades. Questions about traffic counts and whether main streets should be closed were referred to the city's traffic-control and public-safety teams.
No formal action was taken; staff said additional related items (parade routes, barricade purchases) will return to council and that the festival streets ordinance may be amended as needed.
