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The Journal's View: Together Spokane initiative warrants support
The Together Spokane initiative, which represents a shared vision for the city's parks, schools, and other neighborhood improvements, is a fiscally responsible opportunity to invest $440 million into our community while also securing substantial returns on taxpayer investment.
Together Spokane aligns two Nov. 4 ballot measures — a $200 million Spokane Public Schools bond and a $240 million city of Spokane Parks & Recreation levy — aimed at maximizing efficiency and leveraging shared resources for more than 200 projects throughout the community. By planning together, new taxes would be increased by a total of $0.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value in the first year, with $0.02 added to the existing schools bond and $0.27 for the new parks levy. Had they been pursued separately, without collaboration, the two measures would have a combined $0.02 higher tax burden and would only achieve 170 projects citywide.
For the business community, the benefits are immediate and long-term. If voters approve Together Spokane, a predictable construction pipeline in the community is expected to support local jobs and avoid higher costs that are associated with hiring national firms. A variety of businesses would benefit, from large construction companies to small subcontractors and businesses involved in plumbing or heating, ventilation, and air condition systems. A no vote risks architects, engineers, and tradespeople in the community downsizing or leaving the area to find work elsewhere.
An advantage of the initiatives is the capacity to leverage significant financial commitments. The parks initiative alone anticipates capturing an additional $20 million in state grant match funding that would otherwise go to other parts of Washington state. For Spokane Public Schools, the district is set to receive $40 million in state match funding for construction projects. In addition to that, community partners and organizations including Hoopfest, the Boys & Girls Club, and the United States Tennis Association are committing over $10 million to fund 30 additional projects, including an indoor aquatic center modernization at Spokane Falls Community College and the expansion of Madison Elementary to include a community center model.
Together Spokane also addresses a missing ingredient for economic growth in the community: youth sports infrastructure. Youth sports tourism is recognized as a recession-proof economic driver that is often currently lost to nearby cities, such as Tri-Cities and Wenatchee, Washington, that have the capacity to meet regional demand. Upgrades and improvements will help the Spokane area become a regional destination for more large tournaments. And that means more money for the community.
A diverse set of targeted improvements are aligned with key priorities, including education and the need to keep youth active and off their phones, that will impact every neighborhood. Some highly-anticipated planned improvements include a new trades school at Spokane Community College, expanded community and recreational spaces at multiple school properties, and an indoor tennis center at Shadle Park High School in partnership with the United States Tennis Association.
A diverse set of targeted improvements are aligned with key priorities, including education and the need to keep youth active and off their phones, that will impact every neighborhood. Some highly-anticipated planned improvements include a new trades school at Spokane Community College, expanded community and recreational spaces at multiple school properties, and an indoor tennis center at Shadle Park High School in partnership with the United States Tennis Association.
The exact tax cost for individual properties can be found via the Tax Calculator at togetherspokane.org, where the full list of over 200 projects is also available.
To sustain the construction industry, capture critical state match funds, and turn Spokane into a destination for sports tourism, voters should support the strategic return on investment offered by the Together Spokane bond and levy initiative. This is an investment we need to make.
