DivisionConnects - Phase 2

DivisionConnects Phase 1 ran from early 2020 to Spring 2021. The key elements of the Phase 1 study were:

• Developing options for all modes of travel in the corridor
• Examining alternatives and identifying a preferred concept for bus rapid transit. The Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) is illustrated on the right.

The Phase 1 study process and conclusions are documented in the  Division Street Corridor Development Plan .

Phase 2 began June 2021 and will run through Spring 2022. Building upon the Locally Preferred Alternative from Phase 1, Phase 2 will:

• Identify and recommend future land use opportunities that will support the BRT line, for example, more housing and a mix of land uses along parts of Division.
• Recommend active transportation capital projects to enhance options for those walking, biking, and rolling in the corridor.

Discussing potential land use changes with the community is a critical component of Phase 2. The project team wants to hear from residents, businesses, and property owners about questions, concerns, and ideas for the future of Division Street.

During Phase 1, we asked the community for feedback on how they use Division Street today and thoughts on their experiences. Some general themes that emerged include:

• It does not feel safe to cross Division as a pedestrian
• High traffic volumes and speeds create an uncomfortable environment
• The corridor appearance is poor with lack of landscaping, large parking lots, and empty buildings
• There could be better land use transitions between large retailers and adjacent neighborhoods
• A need for better options for walking and biking to destinations

There is opportunity for the Division corridor to evolve with transportation investment in bus rapid transit. BRT provides all-day, two-way, high-capacity, reliable and frequent service at distinct station locations. Design elements that promote BRT speed and reliability include business access and transit lanes (shared use lane for turning vehicles and bus through travel), transit signal priority, and near-level boarding at multiple doors. STA is entering the early design stages and will deliver BRT service on Division by the end of this decade.

Cities around the country have consistently seen how investments in BRT can catalyze new development along the corridors they serve. New, affordable housing opportunities and businesses large and small are often eager to locate near BRT service.

BRT requires local investments in roadways, traffic facilities, and stations along the BRT route to provide frequent and fast service, and this signals to the community and developers that transit is here to stay. Regional investments along a BRT line often spur infill and redevelopment, making BRT stations hubs for activity and economic growth.

We refer to these activity hubs as "nodes," where there is potential to spark changes in land use. Existing activity node examples in Spokane are the  Garland Avenue District  or  Kendall Yards , which are more pedestrian friendly, or the  Shadle Shopping Center , which is much more auto-oriented.

Nodes along Division Street may transform or emerge over the next 15 to 20 years. Some areas along Division may remain relatively unchanged. Land use planning can help shape the growth at an activity node in a way that aligns with the community's desired future and complements planned transportation investments.

We need your help to provide feedback on areas of potential change that the City of Spokane and Spokane County can use in their future land use planning work for the Division corridor.

This map shows approximate locations for potential activity nodes (red polygons). The nodes are named and numbered from south to north. You may zoom in and out and expand the map using the tools on the right side, and click on the nodes for additional information. Once you are familiar with the map, the questionnaire link below will ask where you see potential for long-term change at these nodal locations.

Results of the questionnaire will be posted at  divisionconnects.org . Your feedback will help inform future areas of planning work that will continue beyond this project as part of a more detailed process to envision change along Division. It will also help inform the next steps for BRT preliminary engineering, led by STA, that will kick-off at the end of 2021.

The next DivisionConnects public outreach effort will ask for feedback on an array of potential active transportation projects that support walking and rolling along and through the Division corridor. Stay tuned for its online launch in November.

The final study recommendations will conclude in Spring 2022.