Project Foes File Second Petition Seek Vote On City’s Help With River Park Square Garage

A citizens group that opposes the city of Spokane’s involvement in the redevelopment of River Park Square has gathered more than 3,200 signatures in its second effort to force the matter to a public vote.

Priorities First submitted the initiative petition to the city clerk’s office Friday. Last month, the group turned in another set of signatures aimed at stopping the public-private project.

The latest petition must have 2,400 valid signatures for the City Council to consider the initiative.

On Jan. 27, the City Council pledged city parking meter money to help pay expenses for River Park Square’s proposed parking garage if parking revenues fall short of projections.

The initiative turned in Friday would require any pledge of parking meter revenues to be approved at the ballot box.

Dick Adams of Priorities First said because the initiative was registered on Jan. 10 - prior to the council’s vote - the council’s decision on the meter money must be approved by the public.

City Attorney James Sloane questioned whether the petition was legal because, he said, it basically duplicates the group’s earlier referendum petition. The referendum asks that the council’s Jan. 27 decision be approved by voters.

City attorneys are challenging the referendum in Superior Court, saying it tries to repeal a measure the council considered an emergency.

While an initiative attempts to set a new law, a referendum tries to force a council decision to a public vote.

The council could decide to adopt the initiative and send the issue to voters, or have it reviewed by the city’s legal staff, Sloane said.

City attorneys may challenge the initiative in court, he said.

River Park Square’s $100 million redevelopment project would include a new Nordstrom store, a 24-screen cinema and other shops and restaurants.

Construction is due to begin in April.

, DataTimes