City to Fast Track Permits

Mayor Hession Charters Kendall Yards

Cross-Departmental Leadership Team

Contact:

Marlene Feist,

(509) 625-6740

Mayor Dennis Hession today announced he has chartered a cross-departmental team of employees to shepherd the proposed Kendall Yards development through the required City processes necessary for a successful result.

“Kendall Yards exemplifies my economic growth vision for Spokane in that it creates opportunity for investment and subsequent increased revenues within our City borders, and it also preserves and even improves a former non-productive and contaminated property,” said Mayor Hession. “Here is an excellent example of a multi-use development where people will live, work and play in the heart of Spokane.”

Hession said that the impetus for his decision to organize a focused, cross-departmental team approach to Kendall Yards was the recent announcement by Marshall Chesrown that he has investors interested in the first phase of the project that could allow that phase – between Monroe and Maple streets – to be constructed in 18 months rather than several years.

“The City must be exceptionally responsive to this project because of its long-term positive impact on our community,” Mayor Hession said. “It’s an opportunity Spokane doesn’t often have, and one that I expect will be a catalyst for creating jobs and attracting future investment here for decades to come. We won’t compromise our standards, but we will work together to ensure the project moves through our process quickly and efficiently.”

Mayor Hession announced he has appointed John Pilcher, Economic Development Director, to lead the cross-departmental team overseeing the project. In addition to Pilcher, team members working on permitting issues include Tom Arnold, Engineering Services and Public Works; Leroy Eadie, Planning; Cody George, Economic Development, and Mike Piccolo, Legal. Team members focused on infrastructure tax incentives include Gavin Cooley, Chief Financial Officer; Dave Steele, Public Works, and James Richman, Legal. Other members may be added as appropriate.

“These are highly skilled and talented people,” the Mayor said, “and I know they will perform ‘above and beyond’ on this project, as they routinely do elsewhere. We want to bring a laser focus to the project and the team approach is a successful model.

“I am personally committed to see this project through our process to a successful result,” Hession said.