Project Overview

The Spokane Public Facilities District has created this site to make it easy to access all documents relevant to the planned Staying Competitive, Creating Jobs Projects. The Projects will:

Satisfy customer needs such as more exhibit space and better located meeting rooms
Provide better access to the Spokane River and Centennial Trail
Restore the Spokane River shoreline adjacent to the Convention Center
Ensure that the Spokane Convention Center continues to be a regional economic driver
Arena Seating Upgrades

Click here for Convention Center Completion Documents.
Click here if you would like to provide feedback on the projects.

Temporary Centennial Trail Closure Scheduled
for Shoreline Improvements

Restored riverbank, new landscaping, trees, and surface part of plans
Download Full Press Release - 20130903 Centennial Trail Temporary Closure (PDF 334KB)

Major improvements to a portion of downtown Spokane's Centennial Trail, adjacent to the Spokane Convention Center, are set to begin in mid-September. The trail section from the east side of the Division Street Bridge west to the King Cole Bridge in Riverfront Park will see extensive Spokane River shoreline improvements, restorative landscaping, upgraded infrastructure and a new trail surface when work is completed.

Spokane Public Facilities District CEO Kevin Twohig says the trail improvement effort is an important part of the larger $55 million voter-approved Spokane Convention Center Completion Project and will greatly enhance the experience of all trail users. "We've worked closely over the past years with our stakeholders, Spokane River advocates and government agencies to ensure that the best ideas and designs are incorporated," he says. "The District clearly understands the importance of the Centennial Trail and the river. We're confident that the improvements will be of the highest caliber and will be enjoyed everyone."

The District says the Centennial Trail shoreline work will be a model restoration project as prescribed by the City of Spokane's Shoreline Master Program. Specific improvements include repairing several portions of damaged and eroded riverbank, and the removal of invasive and non-native plants such as blackberry bushes and other noxious weeds. Selected willow trees, which are structurally damaged, diseased or are causing harm to the Centennial Trail, will be removed and the remaining willows pruned. The restored shoreline will encompass more than 75 new trees including ponderosas, aspens and cottonwoods, along with some 1,300 smaller plants; creating almost 20,000 square feet of restored, naturalized habitat. In addition, some 800 feet of new sewer line will be installed and the trail will receive a new asphalt surface.

"We are very aware of the community need for access to the river and the trail, and we will make every attempt to minimize the impacts of our construction projects," says District board chairman Mick McDowell. "We are also keenly aware of our responsibility to the region's tax payers who are allowing us to undertake this important effort. The District will always work hard to ensure that the public's trust is well founded and that this continues to be a first class project that will make everyone proud."

Work on the 1000 foot section of riverbank and trail begins September 16, 2013 with the trail set to reopen on November 21, 2013 Signs advising of the temporary closure as well as directional signage for the easily accessible detour route which has been established will be posted by September 9, 2013.