As consultants continue work on a master plan to transform the north bank of the Spokane River between Howard and Washington streets for educational, recreational, and sports uses, public land holdings there could be on the verge of increasing.


A major landowner interested in selling land there has approached both the citys parks and recreation department and the Spokane Public Facilities District, which operates the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, says Ange Taylor, director of the parks and recreation department.


The city currently owns 10 acres of the nearly 25 acres of land bounded by Howard Street on the west, Washington Street on the east, Boone Avenue to the north, and the Spokane River to the south. All 25 acres of property are included in whats being called the North Bank Master Plan. The plan will outline possible developments, such as an aquatics center, a sport-court complex, or amusement attractions, that could happen in the area directly north across the river from the park.


Consultants working on the plan say Inland Northwest Corp., a closely held affiliate of Cavanaughs Hospitality Corp., owns about seven acres of land in that area. Taylor says the Inland Northwest Corp. land is for sale. Don Barbieri, president and chief executive officer of Cavanaughs, declined to comment, saying that his companies dont discuss real estate transactions unless they have been completed. In addition to the Inland Northwest Corp. property, there are some other private landholdings in the area.


Taylor confirms that the city is in negotiations for a potential land purchase in that area, but declines to name the seller. Dennis Beringer, city real estate manager, confirms that his office is working on a potential purchase there, but says he isnt authorized to talk about it.


The city hasnt secured a funding source for such a purchase yet, Taylor says. A reserve fund maintained for buying additional land around parks doesnt have a high enough balance to make such a purchase, he says, and the city is looking at possibly financing the transaction its considering.