The first projects to be funded through the $440 million Together Spokane joint effort between Spokane Public Schools and city of Spokane Parks and Recreation are expected to be under construction this year, according to spokespeople for the two entities. Planning for several others also will be well underway before year-end.

Perhaps the most visible project to begin this year is the Adams Elementary School replacement project, which is valued at about $30 million, says Ryan Lancaster, executive director of communications for Spokane Public Schools.

Garco Construction Inc., of Spokane, is the contractor on the project, which is located at 2909 E. 37th, on Spokane's South Hill.

The project is shovel ready because Spokane-based NAC Inc., which does business as NAC Architecture, designed it under the district’s 2015 bond measure, Lancaster says.

“That was already ready to go,” he says. “That’s why we’re able to get out of the ground so quickly with this one.”

The new 60,000-square-foot, three-story school is planned to have 23 classrooms and a capacity of 450 students.

In February, Rob’s Demolition Inc., of Spokane, began razing the old school, portions of which are 116 years old.

Lancaster says new construction could start after spring break.

Fianna Dickson, communications manager for Parks and Recreation, says the city plans to break ground on a new park this year. 

Meadowglen Park, currently a 30-acre undeveloped city-owned property, is located at 10890 N. Indian Trail Road, on a northernmost edge of the city limits.

Dickson says construction on the $8 million project likely will begin in the summer as funds from the recently passed parks levy become available. The project will be partly funded through grants totaling $2.5 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program fund. Spokane Transit Authority also will contribute $627,000 to fund a transit stop.

A contractor likely will be selected at a Park Board meeting in May, Dickson says. Place Landscape Architecture LLC, of Spokane, is designing the new park based on community input.

Nearly half of the site will be developed leaving the remaining land in a natural state, Dickson says.

In addition to increasing neighborhood access to parkland, Meadowglen is designed to provide spaces to gather, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant improvements and walking paths, restrooms, a play field, and a playground, according to the city’s project description.

Currently envisioned schools-and-parks-combined projects also include improvements at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, in northwest Spokane, which would include adding up to eight lighted sports fields at the former site of Joe Albi Stadium.

“We’ll essentially be doubling the size of that facility,” Dickson says. “Construction probably will start in 2027.”

Other park projects slated for this year include citywide playground damage repair, restroom renovations at up to five parks, sport court renovations at Whittier and Riverfront parks, and other park renovations.

The Together Spokane effort is a combination of a $200 million school bond measure and a $240 million parks levy, both of which were approved by voters in November 2025.

Over 200 projects are listed on the Together Spokane website. Looking ahead, planned projects 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 U.S. Tennis Association.

The new Adams Elementary School, on the South Hill, is expected to be completed in time to welcome students in the fall of 2027. —NAC Architecture

—Mike McLean