News Release:  
Kendall Yards raises hopes and concerns
 
Bridge-Summit Alliance ______________________________ Kendall Yards Development raises hopes and concerns Alliance wants issues addressed before City approves permits SPOKANE – Today the Bridge-Summit Alliance encouraged people to send their comments to City of Spokane on the proposed Kendall Yards project. The Alliance, while generally supporting the development, is concerned about the impacts of adding 4,000 residents to the West Central Neighborhood. Major concerns include increased traffic on local streets and damaging impacts to the Spokane River’s riparian areas. Residents are also concerned about dust and dirt blowing from the site during the 20-year construction period. “The Development’s problems need to be addressed up front and not after the permits are approved,” said John Osborn, a Spokane physician living in the West Central Neighborhood. “We want the Kendall Yard Development to be a blessing – and not bring more problems to our neighborhood.” The public has been asked to comment on the City’s environmental impact statement for the Kendall Yards Development. Comments are due on April 7. People can sent their comments to: Leroy Eadie City of Spokane Planning Dep’t 808 West Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201 Phone: 625-6187 Fax: 6256013 E-mail: leadie@spokanecity.org To pay for City services, the Alliance also questioned how and why the Kendall Yards residents will be allowed to skip paying property taxes – noting that the tax burden falls unfairly on the rest of Spokane’s taxpayers. “The Spokane River defines the West Central Neighborhood – both geographically and spiritually,” said Jerry White, a resident and angler. “Adding thousands of people along this short stretch of the River will increase use, user conflicts, and personal safety concerns, and risk more damage to the fragile riparian areas. The City must take a leadership role in protecting this part of the Spokane River.” Some of the City’s most stunning views of the Spokane River are found along Summit Avenue overlooking the river canyon and downtown. The Alliance discussed extending the Centennial Trail long the canyon rim and the need to make Summit Avenue safe and friendly for walkers, runners, and bicyclists. Concerns about traffic, speeding cars and buses, were shared by people throughout the neighborhood. “Traffic calming remedies must be extended to the rest of the West Central Neighborhood,” said Osborn, noting plans call for such measures within the Development but no similar protection for the rest of the neighborhood. “Let’s not wait for someone’s child or a bicyclist to be run over and killed when we already know that the Development will only worsen neighborhood traffic problems.” The Bridge-Summit Alliance includes residents of the West Central Neighborhood interested in the impacts of the Kendall Yards Development. The alliance takes its name from the two streets – Bridge and Summit – that border the neighborhood.mailto:leadie@spokanecity.orgshapeimage_1_link_0
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Apr 5, 2006