2021 adopted state Legislative Agenda approved 11-17-2020
10210 East Sprague Avenue Spokane Valley WA 99206
Phone: (509) 720-5000 Fax: (509) 720-5075 www.spokanevalley.org
City of Spokane Valley 2021 State Legislative Agenda
FUNDING REQUESTS
Pines Road Grade Separation Project
The City requests $19.3 million to construct the Pines Road Grade Separation project. Pines Road
is one of the regions key transportation corridors, carrying residential, commercial, and industrial
traffic from Trent Avenue (SR 290) across the Spokane River to I-90. This project will provide grade
separation at a crossing that 60 trains travel through each day, blocking traffic movements for nearly
four hours. The project also improves the intersection of two state highways, Pines Road (SR 27) and
Trent Avenue (SR 290). Pines Road is the primary access to almost 230 acres of undeveloped mixed-
use, commercial and industrial land.
Total project cost is estimated at $29 million. Thus far, the City has secured $9.7 million and project
design and right-of-way acquisition are underway. The project will be shovel ready in 2022. The City
requests $19.3 million to construct this ready-to-go project.
Fairgrounds Exhibition Center
The City requests $4 million to construct an Exhibition Center at the Spokane County Fairgrounds,
located in the City of Spokane Valley, to spur the local tourism economy. The Exhibition Center would
increase the capacity of the Fairgrounds to host regional events and capitalize on existing visitors to the
Fairgrounds and Avista Stadium. The building would include space for a restaurant with indoor and
outdoor seating options. This would provide additional opportunities for destination visits to the site
while providing a convenient space for existing patrons to extend their visit. This space could also be
used in a variety of ways in future public health or emergency crises from administering tests or
inoculations, to storing and distributing personal protective equipment. The building is estimated to cost
$10 million. The City has approximately $3 million in lodging tax money set aside. Spokane County
would own, maintain, and operate the new facility.
Support for the WWRP Program: Flora Road Park/North Bank River Trail Project
The City supports funding the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Grant program. In the WWRP
local parks grant program, the City is ranked 23 out of 80 to receive a $1 million grant for the Flora
Road Park/North Bank River Trail Project to reimburse the City for a portion of the purchase costs.
Economic Development Tools
The City encourages the Legislature to adopt mechanisms that promote increased economic development
within our communities, including local increment financing tools like those that exist in other states and
limiting unduly restrictive regulatory burdens on businesses, most importantly on small businesses.
Defend Local Control
A foundational belief of the Spokane Valley City Council and the citizens they represent is that the most
effective level of government is the one closest to the people. As such, the Council urges the Legislature
to respect local decision-making.
Protect and Restore Local State-Shared Revenues
The City requests that the Legislature protect and enhance local state-shared revenues to allow the City to
deliver vital services to its residents. These funds include the Liquor Excise Tax Account, Liquor Board
Profits, Municipal Criminal Justice Assistance Account, City-County Assistance Account, and Marijuana
Revenues.
The City supports AWC legislative agenda items that serve the best interests of Spokane Valley.
Adopted by City Council November 17, 2020