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Council closes hearing and approves half-block vacation near Gonzaga with conditions
Summary
Council approved a request by Gonzaga University to vacate a half-block of Astor/Nassau Street to create a driveway/pedestrian forecourt, subject to utility easements and fire-access conditions; staff described a no-cost campus-area vacation and public testimony supported the design and safety improvements.
After a staff presentation and public testimony, the Spokane City Council voted to approve a proposed vacation of a half-block of Astor/Nassau Street adjacent to Gonzaga University's campus, subject to conditions to preserve utility easements and ensure emergency access.
Sheldon BROWN, an engineer with the Development Services Center, explained the project would convert a public right-of-way into a driveway-style forecourt serving campus properties while reserving easements for utilities and maintaining access for emergency services. "If it's approved subject to conditions, we'll need to look into easement holders as part of that," Brown said, referring to recent outreach from a telecommunications provider (identified in the transcript as Lumen).
Landscape architect Tom CHURI, representing project designers, testified in support and described plans to replace asphalt with brick in a portion of the right-of-way, retain existing parking where indicated, and install protective bollards to keep vehicles off pedestrian paths. He also said stakeholder meetings with a nearby parish had addressed ADA parking concerns.
Council moved and seconded a motion to close the hearing and adopt the vacation with the recommended conditions; the motion passed unanimously on voice vote. The staff presentation noted the vacation falls within a Gonzaga campus map and recommended a no-cost vacation consistent with earlier campus-area agreements.
Required follow-up includes finalizing recorded easements, coordinating with utility holders and the fire department on access routes, and executing the administrative steps to effect the vacation; the transcript did not include the final recorded instrument or a precise administrative timeline.
