SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council is weeks away from voting on city-wide ordinances aimed at addressing homelessness and cleaning up the city, but some downtown businesses say the plans don’t go far enough.
In May, the city unveiled the “H.O.M.E Starts Here” plan, which proposes ordinances to amend laws on illegal camping, pedestrian interference, and sit-and-lie regulations.
However, many downtown businesses and organizations argue that the ordinances fail to consider the unique challenges faced by the downtown area.
Emilie Cameron, CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP), said the approach needs to be specific to downtown.
“The idea is recognizing what is different about downtown, recognizing that there is a need for this specific area to be treated in a different way.”
Last week, DSP and its partners sent a letter urging the city to amend the ordinances and establish a ‘downtown hospitality zone’ with stricter rules and penalties for blocking sidewalks, encampments and drug activity, compared to the rest of Spokane.
“We have to now, more than ever, be intentional, be purposeful and make sure that we’re creating an environment that can contribute to powering our region forward for many years to come,” Cameron said.
A major concern for downtown businesses in the proposed H.O.M.E ordinances is the waiting period for homeless encampment citations. According to the obstruction ordinance that will be voted on, a citation is issued seven days after a notice is posted.
“How do we create expectations so that the sidewalks, public right of ways are free, open and accessible for all to enjoy? Because we’ve spent a lot of time and investment in creating public sidewalks that are prioritizing pedestrian activity,” she said.
In response, Mayor Lisa Brown sent a letter to the Downtown Spokane Partnership stating, “My team is carefully reviewing your requests about a hospitality district and developing some ideas of our own.” She also said her team is continuing to put together downtown-focused initiatives that are in line with DSP’s goals.
Spokane City Council is set to vote on the ‘H.O.M.E. Starts Here’ ordinances on June 16.
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