Subarea Plan LF Book III 10-15-09.pdfBook iii: City ACtions
The revitalization of the Sprague Avenue and Appleway Boulevard Corridors and the
development of the new City Center will be a program of actions and investments.
Given the substantial length of the corridor and the multiplicity of needs represented,
this program will need to be implemented in phases over an extended period of
time in accordance with the availability of City resources. The prioritization of
City Actions will be guided by the goals and strategies outlined in Book I of this
Subarea Plan. Complementing the regulatory controls contained in Book II, the
strategic investment of limited public resources planned in this chapter are intended
to accelerate the revitalization process and add to the appeal and success of the
corridor as the central spine of the Spokane Valley community.
City Actions will be guided by the community intent described in Book I. As
opportunities arise that were not known at the time of this Plan’s adoption, the City
may consider alternative investment strategies and projects to more effectively
realize the community vision for the Sprague and Appleway Corridors.
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3.1. Th e Ci T y Ce n T e r
The Sprague and Appleway Corridors Subarea Plan identifies the vicinity
around the intersection of Sprague and University as the future City Center for
Spokane Valley. The Center will be the community’s living room, with shops,
restaurants, civic buildings, residences and public plazas all contributing to a
new urban environment and central community gathering place.
The City recognizes that the envisioned center will be built in cooperation
with property owners and with support from community. Public/private
partnership opportunities will be explored; however, the City does not intend
to play the part of “developer”. The property owners and the City will look
for investment opportunities that will have a high probability of instigating the
type if development that is envisioned by this Subarea Plan and supported by
the community.
During development of this Subarea Plan, the City’s consultant developed a
conceptual master plan for the first phase of the City Center. The City will
consider the following list of strategies and tools in its effort to attract developers
who will transform the concept into reality:
1) Identify opportunities for public information and
involvement in the design and implementation of the
City Center, especially the public spaces.
2) Encourage private developers to involve the
community in the design of the City Center.
3) Adopt, monitor and adjust zoning controls that will allow a City
Center to be built, in a form that is consistent with the City’s vision.
4) Identify and pursue funding mechanisms for necessary infrastructure
improvements that will support the development of City Center.
5) Prepare a SEPA/Planned Action ordinance for
the area identified as the City Center.
6) Purchase a site for future City Hall.
7) Support the efforts of the Spokane County Library District to locate
and construct a library as a civic anchor in the City Center.
8) Support other civic entities to locate in the City Center.
3.1.1. City Center Civic Facilities
The envisioned City Center will be a place where families and friends can gather,
shop, dine and live. It is also a place that intends to include important public spaces,
such as plazas, gardens, fountains, green spaces and outdoor seating. These areas
will be designed with the intent of establishing the City Center as the place the
community gathers and interacts. Therefore these public spaces will be designed
and located so they are pleasant and fun to spend time in. Since these spaces will
become the communities “living room” where people gather and share, the City will
extensively engage the residents in the design process.
The City also intends to purchase land and construct a City Hall. The City Hall
will help establish the civic identity for the center and it will be efficient and
comfortable for people to do business. It will be constructed using sustainable
“green” practices.
The City will encourage other civic uses to locate in the City Center. These could
include a new library, fire district offices and the offices of other government
purposes.
3.2. ST r e e T ne T w o r k
im p r o v e m e n T S
The City intends to implement phased street network improvements that will
balance automobile, transit, bike, and pedestrian needs. These improvements are
intended to maximize ways of reaching and moving through the corridor and
maintain the circulation system’s capacity to move commuters during peak hours
in a configuration that complements the envisioned land use and development
pattern.
1) The street network today
At the time of Plan adoption, Sprague Avenue and Appleway Boulevard function
as a one-way couplet from Interstate 90 east to University Road, where Appleway
Boulevard ends and traffic continuing east must turn to the north to reach Sprague
Avenue, which resumes as a two-way street east of University.
At Plan’s the inception, this configuration adequately accommodates traffic
volumes without major intersection failure.
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4 lanes, one-way
5 lanes, one-way 7 lanes, two-way
APPLEWAY
SPRAGUE
2) The future street network
Traffic analyses conducted as part of the Subarea Plan (see Analysis of Circulation
Alternatives for the Sprague-Appleway Corridor prepared by Glatting Jackson
Kercher Anglin, Inc. in Appendix D, separately bound) demonstrated that
expected city and regional growth will ultimately result in unacceptable levels
of congestion. To accommodate this growth, the street network will need to be
strategically modified over time.
In the final configuration, Sprague Avenue and Appleway Boulevard will function
as a one-way couplet between I-90 and Dishman-Mica/Argonne. Sprague Avenue
will function as a five-lane two-way street from Argonne to beyond Sullivan
Avenue. Appleway Boulevard will function as a four-lane two-way street between
Dishman-Mica and University Road. East of University, Appleway Boulevard
will convert to a three-lane two-way street extending to Sullivan Road.
3.2.1. staging the street network improvements
Public and private investment in street network improvements will be staged
(along with streetscape improvements) over time, as resources allow, and as traffic
needs require in order to establish a street network configuration that supports
new development along the corridors and growth in the region.
Street network improvements will be staged and installed throughout the plan
area as shown on the Figure 3.2.1. Streetscape Network Staging diagrams and
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1) Stage 1: Establish the Transportation Framework and Enable the City Center
Sprague Avenue is poised to become Spokane Valley’s Main Street and indeed is
one of the primary streets of the proposed City Center. However, its present state
limits it from supporting a strong activity center. Its roadway design prioritizes
speed and through movement. In order to enable the City Center the City will
reclaim Sprague Avenue to better function as an urban retail street; as this
reclamation happens, Appleway Boulevard must be extended and configured to
two-way traffic to complement Sprague Avenue and enhance the overall capacity
of the street network.
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APPLEWAY 4 lanes, one-way
7 lanes, two-way5 lanes, two-way5 lanes, one-way SPRAGUE
3 lanes, two-way4 lanes, two-way
a) Principal Action Steps in Implementing this Stage
i) Convert Sprague Avenue to two-way traffic from University
Road west to Argonne. This conversion will initially involve
converting two of the westbound travel lanes to eastbound travel
and another of the westbound lanes to shared center turn lane.
ii) Convert Appleway Boulevard to two-way traffic from Dishman-
Mica Road east to University Road. Appleway will be two lanes
eastbound and one lane westbound with a center turn lane.
2) Stage 2: Strengthen the City Center and Extend the Network
In order to further enable the City Center the City will continue to reclaim
Sprague Avenue to better function as an urban retail street; as this reclamation
happens, Appleway Boulevard must be extended and configured to two-way
traffic to complement Sprague Avenue and enhance the overall capacity of the
street network.
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5 lanes, two-way 7 lanes, two-way5 lanes, two-way
APPLEWAY
SPRAGUE 5 lanes, two-way
4 lanes, one-way 4 lanes, two-way Extend 3 lanes, two-way
5 lanes one-way
a) Principal Action Steps in Implementing this Stage
i) Extend Appleway as a three-lane two-way
street east from University to Evergreen.
ii) Convert Sprague Avenue from seven lanes to five lanes from
Evergreen to Sullivan (and install streetscape improvements).
iii) Streetscape improvements for both Sprague and Appleway.
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5 lanes, two-way 5 lanes, two-way5 lanes, two-waySPRAGUE 5 lanes, two-way
3 lanes, two-wayAPPLEWAY4 lanes, one-way 3 lanes, two-way4 lanes, two-way
5 lanes, one-way
3) Stage 3: Extend Appleway Boulevard to Sullivan and reclaim Sprague Avenue as an urban street to Sullivan
This stage completes the conversion of a wide Sprague Avenue into an urban
street throughout the study area and extends Appleway Boulevard farther east,
further enhancing the street network with a parallel east-west route.
a) Principal Action Steps in Implementing this Stage
i) Extend Appleway Boulevard as a three-lane, two-
way street east from Evergreen Road to beyond Sullivan
Road (and install streetscape improvements).
ii) Convert Sprague Avenue from seven lanes to five lanes from
Evergreen to Sullivan (and install streetscape improvements).
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3.2.2. Conceptual intersection Drawings
The following drawings show how major intersections along Sprague and
Appleway would be configured relative to the proposed street network.
1) Dishman-Mica at Appleway
4) Sprague at University2) Sprague at Argonne and Mullan
3) Appleway at University
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3.3. ST r e e T S C a p e im p r o v e m e n T S
The City intends to implement phased streetscape improvements that will
complement the development envisioned on private properties along the corridor
with supportive streetscape environments that the private development enfronts.
Public and private investment in such streetscape improvements will be staged
(along with Street Network improvements) over time, and as resources allow, to
promote the type of change envisioned by the community by providing attractive
and compatible environments for the desired types of new development.
In any given streetscape segment, these envisioned improvements may ultimately
be installed in their entirety by the City, or incrementally by the private sector as
development occurs.
Streetscape improvements will be installed throughout the plan area as shown
on the Figure 3.3. Streetscape Segments Map and illustrated by the following
Streetscape Design Sections and Plans.
3.3. streetscape segments Map
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1) Sprague Avenue – City Center
City Center Boulevard:
Along Sprague Avenue within the City Center, Sprague Avenue will consist of four through lanes,
a landscaped center median with left turn pockets, a parallel parking lane along the north side of
the street and a protected access lane with angled parking along the south side of the street. This
street design will maintain the existing back of sidewalk along the north side of the street and
require a new back of sidewalk along an expanded right-of-way along the south side of the street.
Streetscape elements include:
North Side
• A ten (10) foot sidewalk along the back of curb and an eight (8) foot parking lane oriented
parallel to the curb.
• Boulevard-scale and pedestrian-scale decorative street lighting with banners located within
the sidewalk with a maximum spacing of eighty (80) feet on-center. Light source should be
located twenty five to thirty five (25-35) feet above finished grade for boulevard-scale street
lighting and twelve to fourteen (12-14) feet above finished grade for pedestrian-scale street
lighting.
• A single species of large, moderate density, deciduous trees located in planting wells within
the parking lane and/or in flush tree grates along the back of curb with a maximum spacing of
forty (40) feet on-center.
South Side
• A fifteen (15) foot sidewalk along the back of curb and a six (6) foot planted median located
between the street and access lane.
• Boulevard-scale decorative street lighting with banners located within the access lane’s
planted median with a maximum spacing of one hundred and twenty (120) feet on-center.
Light source should be located twenty five to thirty five (25-35) feet above finished grade.
• Pedestrian-scale decorative street lighting located within the sidewalk with a maximum
spacing of eighty (80) feet on center. Light source should be located twelve to fourteen (12-
14) feet above finished grade.
• A single species of large, moderate density, deciduous trees located within the access lane’s
planted median and in flush tree grates along the back of curb with a maximum spacing of
forty (40) feet on-center.
City Center Landmark:
Following the successful instigation of a new City Center, the City will consider locating and
building a City Center landmark to highlight the City Center. It will memorialize the City Center’s
location and help direct people into the City Center from Sprague Avenue.
north side south side north side south side north side south side
Core street
intersection
typical
intersection
City Center
Landmark
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2) Sprague Avenue – Mixed Use Avenue
Mixed Use Avenue segments of Sprague Avenue will consist of four through lanes
with a center turn lane. Streetscape elements include:
• A seven (7) foot sidewalk with a ten (10) foot continuous planter strip along
the back of curb.
• A flush twelve (12) foot center turn lane with special paving.
• Boulevard-scale and pedestrian-scale decorative street lighting located within
the planter strip with a maximum spacing of one hundred and twenty (120)
feet on-center. Light source should be located twenty five to thirty five (25-35)
feet above finished grade for boulevard-scale lighting and twelve to fourteen
(12-14) feet above finished grade for pedestrian-scale street lighting.
• A single species of large, columnar, deciduous trees located within the planter
strip with a maximum spacing of forty (40) feet on-center.
north side south side
3) Sprague Avenue – Neighborhood Centers
Neighborhood Center segments of Sprague Avenue will consist of four through
lanes with a center turn lane and parallel parking lanes. Streetscape elements
include:
• A twelve (12) foot sidewalk with an eight (8) foot continuous planter strip
along the back of curb, and a seven (7) foot parking lane oriented parallel to
the curb.
• A flush twelve (12) foot center turn lane with special paving.
• Boulevard-scale and pedestrian-scale decorative street lighting located within
the planter strip with a maximum spacing of forty (40) feet on-center. Light
source should be located twenty five to thirty five (25-35) feet above finished
grade for boulevard-scale lighting and twelve to fourteen (12-14) feet above
finished grade for pedestrian-scale street lighting.
• A single species of large, open-habit, deciduous trees located in planting wells
within the parking lane and/or in flush tree grates along back of curb with a
maximum spacing of forty (40) feet on-center.
north side south side
north side south side
Mixed-Use
Avenue
Mixed-Use
Avenue
Mixed-Use
Avenue
neighborhood
Center
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4) Sprague Avenue – Gateway Commercial Avenue
The City is not proposing changes to the Sprague Avenue streetscape within
the Gateway Commercial district zones areas. As resources allow, the City will
work with property and business owners in the Gateway area to identify possible
changes to Sprague Avenue to support the development envisioned in this Subarea
Plan.
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5) Appleway Boulevard – Community Boulevard
Community Boulevard segments of Appleway Boulevard will consist of two through
lanes with left turn pockets and bike lanes. Two options will be considered in order to
maintain the possibility of a long term light rail or bus rapid transit line.
Option 1 – Light Rail along the Center of the Right-of-Way:
Short Term Streetscape Elements Include:
• A forty two (42) foot wide linear parkway located in a median in the center of the
right-of-way with:
o Multi-use path
o Two rows of large, open-habit deciduous trees with a maximum
spacing of thirty (30) feet on-center.
• A six (6) foot sidewalk with an eight (8) foot continuous planter strip along the
back of curb.
• Boulevard-scale and pedestrian-scale decorative street lighting located within the
planter strip with a maximum spacing of thirty (30) feet on-center. Light source
should be located twenty five to thirty five (25-35) feet above finished grade for
boulevard-scale lighting and twelve to fourteen (12-14) feet above finished grade
for pedestrian-scale street lighting.
• A single species of large, open-habit deciduous trees located within the planter
strip with a maximum spacing of thirty (30) feet on-center.
Long Term Streetscape Modifications:
• Each block shall convert the central median to a light rail or bus rapid transit
lane.
north side south side north side south side north side south side
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Option 2 – Light Rail along the South Side of the Right-of-Way:
Short Term Streetscape Elements Include:
• A forty eight (48) foot wide linear parkway along the south side of the right-of-way with:
o Multi-use path
o Boulevard-scale decorative street lighting located along the north edge of the linear
parkway with a maximum spacing of ninety (90) feet on-center. Light source should
be located twenty five to thirty five (25-35) feet above finished grade.
o Pedestrian-scale decorative street lighting located along the south edge of the linear
parkway with a maximum spacing on ninety (90) feet on-center. Light source should
be located twelve to fourteen (12-14) feet above finished grade.
o Two rows of a single species of large, open-habit deciduous trees with a maximum
spacing of thirty (30) feet on-center.
• A six (6) foot sidewalk along the south outer edge of the linear parkway.
• A six (6) foot sidewalk with a continuous ten (10) foot planter strip along the back of the north side
curb.
• Pedestrian-scale decorative street lighting located within the north side sidewalk with a maximum
spacing of ninety (90) feet on-center. Light source should be located twelve to fourteen (12-14) feet
above finished grade.
• A single species of large, open-habit deciduous trees located within the north side planter strip.
Trees shall be planted with a maximum spacing of thirty (30) feet on-center.
Long Term Streetscape Modifications:
• Linear parkway is converted to a light rail or bus rapid transit lane.
north side south side north side south side north side south side
short term
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6) Appleway Boulevard – Community Gateway
The City is not proposing changes to the Sprague Avenue streetscape within
the Gateway Community district zones areas. As resources allow, the City
will work with property and business owners in the Gateway area to identify
possible changes to Sprague Avenue to support the development envisioned in
this Subarea Plan.
7) City Gateway
The City will consider locating and building a City Gateway near the intersection
of the future I-90 off-ramp and Sprague Avenue that announces entrance into the
City of Spokane Valley and helps direct visitors to the City Center. The potential
location of a city gateway is shown in Figure 3.3 Streetscape Segments Map.
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