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Downtown Partnership and nonprofits report thousands of cleanups; RV‑removal contract delayed pending procurement
Summary
The Downtown Spokane Partnership and nonprofit partners reported more than 3,000 bags of garbage removed in a South Downtown supplemental contract; the city confirmed $350,000 was budgeted for RV removal but the contractor agreement is still in procurement review.
Emily, president of the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP), told the committee about the supplemental downtown cleaning contract (roughly 22 blocks) and the program’s results since September.
DSP reported more than 3,000 bags of garbage collected in the service area (an average of about 26 bags per day for the contract area), nearly 2,700 cardboard boxes removed, 360 graffiti tags logged, 15 viaduct walls painted, 18 alleys swept and more than 60 tree wells weeded. The supplemental program uses short‑term contracts and has partnered with Reclaim Project Recovery and Career Path Services to supply crews; DSP said much of the work is five days a week and that chronic dumping and repeated cleanups remain a persistent cost driver.
Luis, city staff who manages related contracts, said multiple layered efforts are underway — the Downtown Spokane Partnership contract, a Career Path Services contract, and WSDOT and ARPA‑funded cleanup for right‑of‑way areas — but that activity can displace people to adjacent locations. He said the city has allocated $350,000 for RV removal during the budget process, but the contractor procurement and contract details are still under review; he estimated the RV‑removal contract could be brought forward in March once purchasing and contract reviews are completed.
Andy from Career Path Services described his organization’s Dignified Workday program, which moved from 8 workers in January of the prior year to about 50 by year‑end and now supplies several five‑person teams to do litter abatement and viaduct cleanings. Councilmembers pressed staff on timelines, funding sources, and coordination among outreach, code enforcement and vehicle removal programs.
DSP asked for continued cross‑agency support (police, outreach teams, court support and private sector partners) and noted increases in needles and drug paraphernalia in some high‑impact areas. DSP said some locations (for example near Second & Madison) have improved after targeted interventions such as closing a city gate, while other hotspot locations continue to require multiple daily cleanups.
