Spokane

Washington

Regional Authority to Address Homelessness Proposed in Spokane

The city wants to coordinate resources and groups to bring resources to unhoused residents after the closure of Camp Hope, formerly the largest encampment in the state.

July 3, 2023 - Crosscut

Aerial view of downtown Spokane, Washington

Spokane’s Missing ‘Missing Middle Housing’

City records show that Spokane has issued few permits for duplexes, triplexes, and other forms of mid-density housing.

September 13, 2022 - City of Spokane

Washington

Spokane Prepares To Disband the State’s Largest Community of Unhoused People

With $24 million in state funding directed to Spokane’s efforts to reduce homelessness, city officials plan to relocate the over 600 residents of Camp Hope. But will services follow?

July 20, 2022 - RANGE Media

Washington

Spokane to Test Citywide Residential Density Incentives

The Spokane City Council in July will consider the "Building Opportunity and Choices for All" pilot program, which would allow new residential densities throughout the city.

June 27, 2022 - Spokane City

Washington

Spokane To Implement Drought Response Ordinance

The city council voted to override a veto of the ordinance by the mayor, enacting new water conservation measures.

June 8, 2022 - City of Spokane

Exurban Construction

Opinion: Spokane Needs 'Missing Middle Housing'

With demand for housing in Eastern Washington rising steeply, the region could benefit from zoning reform that encourages small and mid-sized multifamily developments.

March 14, 2022 - The Pacific Northwest Inlander

Washington

Housing Affordability Crisis Spreading to More Cities

Cities like Spokane, Washington courted new residents and businesses during the pandemic. Now, they're starting to wonder if it was worth it.

February 24, 2022 - The New York Times

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The 'Mountain Lion' Cities Rising in the U.S. West

An economist identifies the growth in nine U.S. cities—scattered from Utah to Texas, Arizona, Washington, and Idaho—as similar to the economic power generated in parts of Asia.

August 31, 2021 - Full Stack Economics

Washington

City Council Rejects Rezoning Approved by Planning Commission, Planning Staff

It's a tale as old as time: A plan to rezone ten acres of land in Spokane splits the public and the City Council from the opinions of the city's planning staff and Planning Commission.

December 3, 2020 - The Spokesman-Review

Seattle-to-Spokane Intercity Rail

Seattle-to-Spokane Intercity Rail Proposal Studied

Washington State planners have completed a feasibility study into the proposed East-West Passenger Rail System for Washington State.

July 8, 2020 - The Urbanist

New York City Homelessness

Late Action, Local Opposition Frustrate Emergency Homeless Shelter Plans

Some progress, but not nearly enough, has been reported as California and its cities scramble to procure temporary shelters to house homeless people during the pandemic.

April 23, 2020 - James Brasuell

Suburban Chicago

Spokane Disallows ICE from Operating on Public Transit

Spokane city government went forward with the ordinance after they were unable to reach an agreement with the federal agency.

October 29, 2018 - The Gonzaga Bulletin

Washington

Mayoral Candidate Wants Density in Spokane, But Do Voters?

As City Council president, Ben Stuckart passed legislation to facilitate apartments and limit parking requirements. He hopes voters see the additional housing as a benefit.

July 17, 2018 - The Pacific Northwest Inlander

Freewways

Nine Highway Expansions Identified as Worst Boondoggles of 2018

In a new report, U.S. PIRG and the Frontier Group describe nine costly highway projects amounting to $30 billion in their fourth annual "Highway Boondoggles" report. All share the theme of induced travel demand.

July 2, 2018 - Frontier Group

Pacific NW States to Study Regional High-Speed Rail

The proposal promises a one-hour commute between Vancouver and Seattle.

March 25, 2018 - The Urbanist

Washington

A History of Female-Led Opposition to Urban Freeways in Spokane, Washington

Former Washington State Representative Margaret Hurley, aided by Margaret Leonard at the local level, saved the Logan neighborhood in Spokane from a freeway plan that would have razed 600 homes. Now the plan is reborn in another part of town.

January 4, 2018 - The Spokesman-Review

Spokane Parking Lot

Spokane Considers Tax Incentive to Redevelop Downtown Parking Lots

It's an idea that has already had some success in Philadelphia: give developers a tax abatement on projects that achieve some desired end, in this case fewer surface parking lots.

November 19, 2017 - The Spokesman-Review

Coal Railroad

Spokane Voters to Decide Whether to Regulate Oil and Coal Trains

Proposition 2, the Safer Spokane Initiative, would require railroads to reduce health and safety risks posed by certain types of oil and coal trains traveling through specified parts of the city or risk being fined.

October 21, 2017 - The Spokesman-Review

Homeless Encampment

Spokane Rolls Out New Homeless Camping Deterrent

The city of Spokane is piling large boulders where homeless people used to sleep. Critics are calling the city's actions inhumane.

September 8, 2017 - KUOW

Spokane Skywalk

Calling for a Moratorium on Skywalks in Spokane

Despite declining use of existing skywalks in the city and a new appreciation of the importance of a pedestrian-friendly streetscape, developers are moving forward with several plans to add new skywalks around downtown Spokane.

June 15, 2016 - Spokane Rising

Assistant/Associate Professor in Indigenous Planning

University of New Mexico - School of Architecture & Planning

Principal Planner

Placer County

Coastal Program Analyst III

San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.