Letters

Ideas for helping small businesses

The Spokane Valley Business Association requests the City Council consider the following on behalf of small business in the city of Spokane Valley:

• Sprague Avenue be returned to a two-way avenue. As it is currently configured it is essentially a funnel rushing potential Valley customers in to the city of Spokane with little chance to shop or do business along the avenue. Studies prove retail depends on two way traffic.

• We support the revitalization of both Sprague and Appleway by the Sprague/Appleway Revitalization Plan or some other means. This area has the highest retail vacancy in Spokane County, property values are decreasing and businesses are exiting the corridor. • We support the location for a City Center and City Hall on Sprague Avenue where there is developable area sufficient in size to encourage growth along the corridor. When citizens were asked in many meetings where they felt the center should be, the majority expressed the U-City area was their preference, we concur. It is historically the heart of the city.

We encourage a healthy economy, vibrant retail revitalization and the growth of jobs. We believe these suggestions will help achieve these goals.

R. Terry Lynch

President, Spokane Valley Business Association