Al MERKEL

I believe we are ready for our beautiful city to develop a cultural center. To that end, I would like to speak to an idea for what I would call 'The District'. I envision creating, through public-private partnership, an artisanal district right here in Spokane Valley. The District would include a large enclosed space for vendors, a farmers market, community gatherings, indoor and outdoor concert (like a larger Saranac Commons) and stage shows as well as top-class eating and gathering establishments and larger shops all within a fully walkable, pedestrian-friendly, space (like Perry Street but bigger). I see many cities our size with areas like this (Newbo Market Cedar Rapids, Iowa) attracting corporations with middle income, middle-class jobs. I would like to bring some of those here to create opportunities for our children and young adults/families to stay in our community after college and reduce our brain drain to the west coast.  I think our Valley with its scenic backdrops and welcoming people is the right place for this destination location for our whole area. 

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Looking at comparable cities, these markets actually spur growth over the entire city. BIDs, as I suggest, draw new market, high-income jobs that make our city economy more recession-resistant. Also, BIDs cost next to nothing to taxpayers, as the businesses themselves actually fund all the needed construction and legal work. 

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