Spokane council adopts Hillyard subarea plan to guide redevelopment

The Spokane City Council on Oct. 28 adopted ordinance C36784, approving the Hillyard Subarea Plan and amending the city comprehensive plan to guide future growth and redevelopment in northeast Spokane.

City planning staff presented the plan as a redevelopment framework that identifies six distinct plan areas within Hillyard, pinpoints catalyst sites, and recommends transportation, utilities and open‑space upgrades to support private and public investment. "It'll serve as a blueprint identifying catalyst sites, infrastructure priorities, and public private partnerships to modernize industrial areas, strengthen business districts, and reinvest in those surrounding neighborhoods," Tim Thompson, operations manager, told the council during a staff report.

The plan proposes targeted land‑use changes, including designating the Wellesley Corridor as a center and corridor, converting the area around a water tank to open space and creating a mini center on Beacon Hill to leverage an existing event facility. Staff noted utilities are generally in acceptable condition but road networks in the yard area are a visible deficiency.

Council members praised the plan’s stakeholder engagement and implementation focus. Council member Katkar said adopting the plan by ordinance — rather than accepting it as a report — signals stronger city commitment and responds to NEPDA and neighborhood input. Council members also highlighted upcoming infrastructure work that will support the plan, including a federally funded Wellesley rebuild and planned Valley Springs realignment tied to Beacon Hill development.

One public commenter, Larry Andrews of District 1, urged more investment in Hillyard and raised concerns about homelessness concentration and winter safety on steep local roads. Council members acknowledged displacement risks and said the plan will be refined as part of the comprehensive‑plan periodic update and implementation steps are tied to available funding.

Funding sources identified in the presentation include tax increment financing associated with the Northeast Public Development Authority (NEPDA), local improvement districts, public utility financing, the local infrastructure financing tool and competitive grants. Staff emphasized that adoption does not itself fund projects but provides a structured list of priorities to pursue implementation funding.

Council closed the public hearing and voted to approve the ordinance. The vote was announced in the meeting as passing; council members said next steps will include collaboration with NEPDA, STA for transit improvements, and sequencing of infrastructure projects tied to catalyst sites.