Park board forwards downtown zipline permit agreement to city council

The Spokane Park Board voted to forward a permissible-use agreement for a downtown zipline to city council after a staff presentation outlining project scope, alignments with park master plans and outstanding permit needs.

John Moe, director of Riverfront Park, described the proposal as a private capital investment by Mica Moon to build and operate a zipline running roughly 1,500 feet from the Place of Truce Plaza to the east end of Red Band Park. He said the operator expects to invest about $1.8 million in capital and requested a 15-year term with a five-year renewal option to amortize that investment. The agreement includes a proposed annual permit fee of $50,000 to parks, an optional $12,000 per year to Riverfront Park for storage or ticketing support, and a 3% annual escalation clause.

Mica Moon (doing business as Spokane Skylines) would be responsible for capital, operations, maintenance, rider safety, security, accreditation (post‑year one), and required insurance and bonding, including a restoration bond to guarantee removal if the attraction ceases operation. The proposal includes a five-stop shuttle within Riverfront Park intended to reduce neighborhood parking impacts and provide mobility access inside the park. Moe said the Spokane Tribe has been engaged and advised on siting for the landing platform; the Spokane Club has provided verbal agreement for aerial rights and staff are negotiating final air rights with Avista.

Board members asked about routing underneath the Monroe Street Bridge, neighborhood impacts and shuttle routing; staff said the flight path had been designed with clearance and maintenance access in mind. John Moe emphasized that several external approvals remain required: building permits, Department of Ecology and FERC compliance, Avista aerial rights and Spokane Club approval; the agreement contains a nullification clause if those approvals are not secured.

After discussion, the board approved a motion to forward the permissible-use agreement for Spokane Skylines LLC (Mica Moon) to the city council for consideration. City council will consider two readings (an ordinance is required because the city owns property on both sides of the river) and additional permit approvals if council approves the agreement.