Downtown Spokane
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Downtown Spokane is the central business district in Spokane. Downtown Spokane's rough boundaries are I-90 to the south, Division St. to the east, Maple St. to the west, and the Spokane River to the north, although one could argue that downtown has extended north of the river.
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[edit] Buildings
The tallest building is the Bank of America Financial Center. It was completed in 1981. The second tallest building, the Wells Fargo Tower was completed in 1982. Until 2006, with the construction of the Davenport Tower & Residences (an expansion of the Davenport Hotel), no high-rise has gone up in Spokane.
Other significant buildings in downtown include the Spokane Convention Center, the INB Performing Arts Center, and the Spokane Arena.
[edit] Downtown Rebirth and Development
Downtown Spokane has undergone a major rebirth in recent years after the completion the new RiverPark Square mall. The historic Davenport Hotel underwent a major renovation in 2002 after being vacant for over 20 years. The project was funded by local entrepenuer Walt Worthy, and he is currently adding on a new 20 story tower to the hotel. Other major projects include the building of the Big Easy concert house, the remodeling of the historic Fox Theater( which will become home to the Spokane Symphony), numerous new condo buildings, and renovations of historic, older brick buildings that will house both condo's and business. Also, the Spokane Convention Center just finished a major expansion which will help host the upcoming 2007 US Figure Skating Championships. All new skyscrapers built in Spokane are subject to city height restrictions, and therefore, any new efforts to build major buildings are hampered. Recently, a local developer has proposed building the new VOX Tower which, if approved, will become the tallest building in Spokane.
[edit] Kendall Yards
The new Kendall Yards development on the northside of Downtown Spokane along the Spokane River will become one of the largest construction projects in the city's history. The proposed development will directly connect to downtown with bridges across the Spokane River and blends residential and retail space with plazas, and walking trails. Phase I of the development will incorporate about 500 residential units and 500,000 square feet of non-residential use. Town homes, condominiums, and apartments will comprise the residential makeup. Upon completion, the nearly 80-acre Kendall Yards project will include up to 2,600 residential units and up to one million square feet of commercial, retail and office space. [1]
[edit] Parks
Riverfront Park, the site of Expo '74, is 100 acres and is in the heart of Downtown Spokane.
