Wednesday, February 15, the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District (BID) supported by the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) convened downtown stakeholders, elected officials and the community to share highlights from 2022 programs and services while establishing priorities to significantly impact downtown Spokane in 2023.

The 2023 Downtown Spokane Annual Meeting hosted nearly 200 BID Ratepayers and DSP Members that included commercial property owners, business tenants and area residents with Mayor Nadine Woodward, Council Member Jonathan Bingle and Council Member Michael Cathcart in attendance. During the program, Ratepayers and Members confirmed the 2023 Board of Directors slates and celebrated the winners of the first annual “Best In BID” awards.

In her inaugural address to the group, President and CEO Emilie Cameron of the Downtown Spokane Partnership stated, “As we focus on growth, diversity and overall vitality in today’s post-pandemic environment, our first priority is a safe, clean and welcoming downtown for residents, employees and customers. In a time when cities across the country are doubling down on their urban cores, this is Spokane’s opportunity to embrace and accelerate our central district.”

Board of Director Appointments
The annual meeting of the Downtown Business Improvement District and Downtown Spokane Partnership confirms nominations to the respective board of directors in 2023, including:

Downtown Spokane Partnership Board

• Stephanie Curran of Spokane Public Facility District (Chair)
• Christopher Varallo of Hawley Troxell (Vice Chair)
• New board members Dania Duke of Davenport Hotels, Mike Whitmore of HMA and annual appointees: Council Member Michael Cathcart, Jack Johnson, Chancellor Daryll DeWald of WSU, Fernanda Mazcot of HBPA, Rae-Lynn Barden of VOA, Chief Craig Meidl of SPD, and Susan Meyer of STA.
• The board honored exiting board members Council Member Lori Kinnear, Council Member Betsy Wilkerson, Susan Horton of Wheatland Bank, Dan Zimmerer of Davenport Hotels, Juliet Sinisterra of the University District and Mark Howard, BID Ratepayer Advisory Board

Downtown Business Improvement District Ratepayer Advisory Board

• Jack Johnson, Resident (Chair)
• Bryn West of The Cowles Co. (Vice Chair)
• New board members Council Member Jonathan Bingle, Bobby Enslow of Indaba Coffee, Terra Coulter of Studio One, Doug Kapelke of STCU, Michael Kaupan of Hawley Troxell.
• The board honored exiting board members Council President Breean Beggs, Ira Armstader of Express Employment Pros, Pia Hallenberg of Blue Chip Lofts and Edie Rice-Sauer of Transitions

Key Highlights

Cameron went on to review 2022 highlights from main areas of BID service programs: providing supplemental clean and safe services, championing projects that improve the quality of life and advance economic growth, producing events that activate Downtown, and the marketing of all events and businesses that make downtown a vibrant place.

• 4,558 Merchant & Business Contacts by DSP Ambassadors
• 2,342 Calls for Service Responded to by DSP Ambassadors
• 5,000+ miles patrolled on e-bike by DSP Ambassadors
• 4,76 bags of trash collected by DSP Clean Team Members
• 4,541 graffiti tags removed by DSP Clean Team Members
• 25 miles of sidewalk power washed by DSP Clean Team Members
• 1,180,000 people attended downtown events
• $18,000 in cultural event grants distributed to community organizations
• 123 new and/or relocated businesses opened

2023 Best in BID Award Winners

• Most epic comeback since 2020: Revival Tea Co.
• Most underrated: The Mango Tree
• Best Couple (neighboring businesses): Whistle Punk Brewing and Heritage Bar
• Most photogenic (exterior or façade, or interior): The Historic Davenport Hotel
• Most reliable (most likely not to change): Auntie’s Bookstore
• Most likely to brighten up your day: Boo Radley’s
• One of a kind (most unique): The Space
• Most likely to be in a music video: Durkin’s Liquor Bar
• Favorite Freshman (best new business): Common Language Brewing Co.
• Best “glow up” (business expansion or improvements): Dry Fly Distilling
• Most likely to make Seattle jealous: Petunia & Loomis
• Most likely to become an influencer: The Woodshop
• Most likely to save the planet: Spokane Refillery
• Best dressed (for staff or for business marketing): Fringe & Fray
• Life of the party: Brick West Brewing Co.