Reimplementation of an Alcohol Impact Area & Community Health Impact Area
The Alcohol Impact Area (AIA), re-established by the City of Spokane, restricts the sale of single-serve alcohol containers in downtown to curb alcohol-related incidents. Re-establishing the AIA is an important step to ensure a safer, more welcoming downtown environment by reducing alcohol-related harm and promoting a healthier public space for residents and visitors. The Community Health Impact Area (CHIA) requires retailers to offer free naloxone with the sale of drug paraphernalia to combat the opioid crisis and promote harm reduction.
Supported Proposition 1: Community Safety Sales Tax
Proposition 1 on the City of Spokane ballot creates a new one-tenth of one percent (.01%) sales tax for community safety enhancements, known as the Community Safety Proposal. The tax is expected to generate an estimated $7.7 million annually, with fifteen percent that will go to Spokane County and roughly $6.5 million that would be collected each year by the City of Spokane to fund new investments for Spokane Fire, Spokane Police, the Office of the Police Ombuds, and Spokane Municipal Court.
Supported Measure 1: Renewal of Juvenile Justice Sales Tax
Measure 1 renews the existing one-tenth of one percent (.01%) sales tax for Juvenile Detention Facilities and Jails that was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025. Funds from the tax renewal will be used solely for the purpose of providing funds for costs associated with operating, maintaining, repairing, equipping, re-equipping, financing and remodeling of juvenile detention facilities and jails.
The tax extends 10 years through December 31, 2035 and Spokane County intends to continue using the funds for current operations required by state law. These funds will not be used to construct new facilities.
Initiated Downtown Housing Study
The Downtown Spokane Partnership, with support from ARPA funding secured by the City of Spokane, has initiated a Downtown Housing Study set to be completed in spring of 2025. The study will assess downtown's current housing stock and amenities, set development targets, develop an action plan, and identify opportunity sites for future residential development to ensure a robust and vital downtown neighborhood.
Advocating for Equitable Distribution of Public Restrooms, Shelters, and Services Across Spokane
The DSP is committed to ensuring that new public restrooms, emergency shelters, social services, and no/low-barrier housing are distributed equitably across the city, addressing the current over-concentration of facilities in downtown to support balanced community health and vibrancy.