Neighborhood Business Center (NBC) Revitalization Strategies

Streetscape improvements capitalize on the districts best assets — such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets — but physical capital improvements are only part of the story.

An inviting atmosphere created through vibrant pedestrian scale streetscapes, traffic calming, attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer.

Inviting physical spaces and activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.

The NBC office is the one point of contact for all “Center” streetscape improvement projects. NBC works with the neighborhoods and their business districts to identify desired streetscape improvements and walks them thought the implementation process outlined within this guidebook.

The implementation process is at minimum a two year project and multi-phased projects can be ongoing for up to a decade. NBC’s role is that of coordinator between the neighborhood, business district, consultants, funding sources, outside agencies and all involved City departments. NBC provides periodic updates on the progress of all streetscape projects to all parties involved. NBC applies for and leverages multiple funding sources to optimize the capital improvement investment.

NBC promotes the physical improvements to entice and encourage additional private investment and to strengthen the over all economic vitality of the “Centers.” NBC works to encourage the use of best practices and maintenance practices to ensure that the capital improvements will last for many years to come.

The NBC office is the one point of contact for all “Center” streetscape improvement projects. NBC works with the neighborhoods and their business districts to identify desired streetscape improvements and walks them through the implementation process outlined within the guidebook.

• Implementation Process 2008 Guidebook
• 2008 Streetscape Project Map

2009 Design and Construction:
Hillyard Steering Committee and the Greater Hillyard Business Association (GHBA): Queen, Haven to Green - Design by Sherry Pratt Van Voorhis Landscape Architects)

• Final Concept Design

East Spokane Business Association (ESBA):
Sprague, Helena to Altamont Streetscape ~8 blocks- Design by Abbottswood Design Group

• East Sprague Streetscape Design Charrette PowerPoint
• East Sprague Streetscape Design Alternatives PowerPoint
• Final Concept Design, July 2007

Nevada-Lidgerwood Neighborhood Council:
Lidgerwood, Queen to Sanson Streetscape ~3.5 blocks - Design by Abbottswood Design Group

• Nevada-Lidgerwood Streetscape Design Charrette PowerPoint
• Nevada-Lidgerwood Streetscape Design Alternatives PowerPoint
• Final Concept Design, July 2007

North Monroe Business Association (NMBD):
Monroe, Boone to Cora Streetscape ~2 miles - Design by Abbottswood Design Group

• Monroe Streetscape Design Alternatives PowerPoint
• Final Concept Design, July 2007

The City of Spokane Neighborhood Business Centers (NBC) economic revitalization program follows the National Trust Historic Preservation’s Main Street Four Point Approach to revitalization. The Four Point Approach supports the preservation of historically significant and contributing structures and is designed to bring economic revitalization to business districts. To this end, the Historic Façade Improvement Program has been established to encourage property owners in their rehabilitation and preservation efforts by providing financial incentives.

The Historic Façade Improvement Program is specifically designed for the preservation and/or rehabilitation of building façades. The program utilizes grant funds as a financial incentive to entice private investment by property and business owners interested in rehabilitating neighborhood business center structures, stressing their historic significance. The goals of this program are: 1) to encourage historic preservation through rehabilitation of neighborhood commercial structures, 2) to abate any continued deterioration of neighborhood commercial structures, 3) and to augment the natural assets of the neighborhood business centers by restoring the uniqueness, character and integrity of structures to the period of their significance.

The City of Spokane Neighborhood Business Centers (NBC) program and Historic Preservation Office (HPO) are providing assistance on rehabilitation projects that will create a visual impact in the neighborhood business district. All major and minor projects are important; even small repairs such as paint and awning alternatives as well as leasehold improvements made by tenants have a significant effect on the visual appearance and subsequent private reinvestment and economic vitality of a business district.

To qualify for a financial incentive an applicant must comply with design guidelines and match the grant funds at least $1 for $1. Eligible facade improvement projects can receive up to a $2,000 financial incentive. Only projects approved by the design committee are considered eligible.

Only historically listed property owners and/or tenants of those commercial buildings located within three NBC districts (Hillyard/Market St. District, Monroe and South Perry) and projects following the Secretary of Interiors guidelines are eligible for this program.

1. Exterior painting and repair, masonry cleaning and repair.
2. Repairing, replacing or adding decorative functional awnings, allowable signage and lightning.

1. Interior improvements.
2. Roofing.
3. Inappropriate cleaning methods, additions, repairs, replacements or alterations.

• Applications and guidelines for the program are available in the Neighborhood Business Centers and Historic Preservation offices in Spokane City Hall.
• Completed façade improvement program application packets will be submitted for Landmarks’ Commission and design review. Application packets must include; completed application, pictures, drawings and plans of the building which illustrate all proposed work, including any structural repair, awnings (plus sample of the material), signage, cost estimates, construction schedules and paint colors.
• The NBC and HPO team will approve the application if it complies with the Landmarks Commission approval and Department of Interiors guidelines. If not approved, the team will explain, in writing to the applicant the reasons for rejection, and what if any steps can be taken to receive approval.
• Applicants requesting funds must sign an agreement with NBC. The applicants will be required to abide by the guidelines and rules regulating the use of grant monies.
• Financial incentives/grant monies will be distributed on a reimbursement basis only upon completion of an approved project an inspection conducted by the NBC and HPO team. The applicant will be required to submit copies of all receipts to receive reimbursement.
• Historic property owners and tenant with the property owner’s approval, who have two or more businesses occupying a single building/property, with each business having its own entrance, are eligible for a historic façade improvement grant for each business.
• Applications must be completed and approved prior to any construction activity.
• During the course of construction, the NBC Program Manager will monitor the progress of the project.
• The NBC, HPO team and the Landmarks’ Commission must approve changes in originally approved work specifications.
• Approved changes in the work verifications will be attached to the original applications dated and signed by the NBC and Historic Preservation team.
• Deviations from an approved plan may disqualify the applicant from this grant program.