planning
Downtown Plan 2021
The original Downtown Plan was adopted into the City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan in 1999. Crafted to fully integrate visions, urban planning, design guidelines and regulatory recommendation with a comprehensive public participation and outreach process.
2008 Update
The Downtown Plan has yielded many exciting changes for downtown Spokane. The 2008 plan update helped develop Kendall Yards into the energetic, diverse, and distinctive urban neighborhood we know today. This update also addressed the redevelopment of Riverfront Park and the expansion of the Spokane Arena.
2021 Update
The Downtown Spokane Partnership, alongside City of Spokane Planning staff conducted a two year process amid the COVID-19 Pandemic to update and refine the Downtown Plan. The final updated plan has a ten-year horizon, and the beginning of the timeframe will focus on economic recovery from the aftermath of the pandemic. The intent of the plan is to set a framework for decision making with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion so that as Spokane regather its strength, downtown will come back stronger, more resilient and welcoming for all.
Spokane Housing & Economic Report
The Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) has completed a housing study, conducted by Community Attributes Inc. (CAI) from winter 2024 through late summer 2025. The study provides valuable insight into the current residential landscape and identifies opportunities to strengthen Spokane’s urban core through housing, retail, and infrastructure investment.Â
Key Findings
- Affordable Housing Concentration: 44% of downtown housing units are affordable—25% higher than the average in peer cities.
- Retail Growth Potential: With increased housing, downtown could support 98,300 sq. ft. of additional retail space, generating new sales tax revenue.
- Housing Demand: To meet projected needs, 3,200 new market-rate units will be required in the next 10 years.
- Long-Term Vision: Downtown Spokane can accommodate up to 7,200 new units over the next 15 years.
2019 Downtown Parking Study
The Downtown Parking Study thoroughly evaluated the existing parking system, and conducted extensive outreach with stakeholders and the general public. Following that evaluation and outreach, the City and consultant team developed a comprehensive package of recommendations designed to facilitate growth and activity downtown, while making parking more convenient and user-friendly for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors.
The final outcome is this document, which serves as the roadmap for Spokane’s downtown parking future.
North Bank Subarea Plan
With several major public and private development projects recently completed, under construction, or planned for the future the potential for increased urban development reveals new needs and opportunities for the North Bank. The process of studying these future possibilities launched in 2019 with a site tour, kickoff meeting, and focus group interviews.
Wayfinding & Gateways
This Wayfinding and Gateway Signage Project is a collaborative effort between Spokane County, the City of Spokane, City of Spokane Valley, City of Liberty Lake, West Plains, Downtown Spokane Partnership, Visit Spokane, Washington Department of Transportation, and the Spokane Regional Transportation Council to develop a consistent, informative, user friendly signage system across the region.
2016 STA Moving Forward Plan
Now funded, more than 25 projects included in the STA Moving Forward plan will:
- Maintain the existing transit system, including paratransit and vanpool services.
- Improve fixed-route bus service through high frequency, high performance transit service, including extended hours on all basic and frequent routes.
- Expand transit service to new areas, new routes, and expanded passenger services including new and enhanced park and ride lots.
2014 Riverfront Park Master Plan
The Riverfront Park Master Plan 2014 outlines a vision for the Park for the next 20 years. It is comprehensive in scope, and documents a substantial public process. If developed in full the Master Plan would cost over $100 million dollars to implement.