The Spokane Park Board voted Jan. 8 to authorize a 50-year lease of roughly 2.25 acres at Highbridge Park to the American Indian Community Center (AICC) for construction and operation of a permanent community center.

Staff described a proposed 22,000‑square‑foot facility with parking, an outdoor amphitheater, walkways and landscaping. The board record states the proposed lease rent is $1 per year; the public benefit is expected to come from the center’s construction of park improvements with a minimum value the presentation listed at $896,000 (appraised construction/amenity value tied to the transaction rather than ongoing cash rent).

The lease proposal says structures within the leased area would remain AICC property while the facility operates and that AICC would be responsible for routine maintenance (trash removal, landscape upkeep, snow removal, building maintenance). Staff emphasized that if the AICC closed the center the lease would terminate and the improvements would be addressed per agreement.

Representatives of AICC spoke in favor of the lease. AICC’s director said the center would "be our forever home between two major waterways" and gave a stewardship pledge: "That's my personal guarantee to you that every step we take will be to steward the land in the way that we were taught by our elders." Another AICC representative, Stephanie Sajon, said the organization already holds weekly culture nights and expects to offer cultural programming in the new space.

Board members raised questions about public access and programming. Staff said AICC has committed that some rooms would be available for Park Board programming at no charge when the center is not using them, and letters of neighborhood support were presented from West Hills and Peaceful Valley neighborhood groups.

The board moved, seconded and approved the lease by voice vote. Staff will return with detailed building designs and landscaping plans for board review to ensure the final design is consistent with park character and to confirm maintenance responsibilities.