​What should the future of Spokane’s transportation and utility infrastructure look like? That’s the question the City of Spokane is working to answer this year.

They've embarked on what’s called the “Link Spokane” planning process to create a 20-year vision for transportation and utility needs within the City.

Decisions must be made about long-term policies that address maintenance needs, environmental regulations, and strategies to accommodate growth and economic development. This process will result in a new and updated chapter for the City’s 20-year Comprehensive Plan.

One of the most interesting aspects of this work is the decision to integrate our plans for transportation and our water, wastewater, and stormwater utility services. Rather than just considering the surface uses for streets, the City is taking a three-dimensional view of our streets that includes connectivity for pipes and conduit.

The goal is to take a holistic approach to infrastructure planning that leverages coordinated investments, matches those investments to growth strategies, and provides citizens with the greats value for their tax and utility dollars.

For this planning effort to be successful requires the input and participation of many citizens. As a first step, the City is encouraging people to read up on our process. If you check out this week's Inlander, you can find a 12-page booklet that explains the work and provides lots of food for thought. You can also read that information here.

Then, make plans to stop by one of the three drop-in workshops to talk:

-Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m., NorthTown Mall, Division Street Entrance, Level 1.

-Wednesday, Feb. 5, noon to 6:30 p.m., Southside Christian Church, 2934 E. 27th Ave.

-Friday, Feb. 7, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., River Park Square, Street Level.

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