Council hears code change to require replacement buildings after demolition in 'centers and corridors'; final vote not recorded in transcript

City historic-preservation staff presented an amendment on Feb. 3 to Spokane's Unified Development Code that would expand review of potentially historic buildings to designated "centers and corridors," require a replacement structure where eligible properties are demolished, and apply objective design standards for replacement buildings in compliance with 2023 Washington House Bill 1293.

Megan Duvall, the city's historic preservation officer, told the council the proposal is intended to reduce speculative demolition that leaves parking lots or vacant sites where historic buildings once stood. "We cannot deny demolition in centers and corridors," Duvall said. "Historically eligible buildings can be demolished but they have to be replaced." She said the ordinance would require permits and financial commitments for the replacement structure before a demolition permit could issue, and it would add objective standards for size and materials where state law requires them.

Duvall walked council members through the areas affected and offered property counts for the downtown boundary and three downtown National Register historic districts. Her inventory, as stated in council discussion, identified roughly 100 properties in the East Downtown district (76 contributing; 37 individually listed), 64…