Residents flood into Liberty Lake

The Little City That Could isn’t quite so little anymore.

Liberty Lake’s population has jumped above 5,000 people to 5,255, meaning the city that was incorporated in 2001 no longer is a small town, said Mayor Steve Peterson during a state of the city address at a Greater Spokane Valley Chamber luncheon Tuesday.

“This isn’t your dad’s Oldsmobile,” he said. “This is a very vibrant, well-educated community people want to move to.”

For a town that started with nothing, the city has come a long way and will continue to grow, Peterson said, noting some of the city’s recent achievements.

Development continues to bring new homes and businesses into the city, and an improved trails system connects the new construction, with a bridge spanning Interstate 90 linking the north and south portions of the city.

The city attracted two of Spokane Valley’s largest employers, Huntwood Industries and Itron, and Home Depot opens a new store Thursday.

“To me, good developments are an asset to this community,” he said.

Peterson was pleased with the construction of the new Legacy Ridge, which includes six homes ranging from $1.5 million to $2 million, saying that “housing brings one heck of a lot of jobs and money to the community.”

A home for a public library, as well as a fully used business incubator were also accomplishments to be proud of, Peterson said.

In the next year, Peterson said, he hopes to build a city arboretum and expand the city-owned Trailhead Golf Course to include a 10th hole.

Peterson said the city plans to continue trying to annex 664 acres of land at the west end of the city and to come up with a plan for developing about 6 acres of land in the heart of the city for a “community campus,” an area where a post office, library, community center and other city services could be housed.

Peterson also plans to find a way to expand exit 294 on Interstate 90 to a full-access exit serving the west end of the city.

Above all, Peterson said, he keeps an eye to the future, envisioning an ideal community where doors and windows can stay open at night.

“I see a pedestrian community where neighbors see you and walk by and you know their name,” he said.