Spokane’s Downtown Reset: Will This Be the Turning Point?

A City of Contrasts

Downtown Spokane has always walked a fine line between charm and frustration. On one block, you’re admiring a beautifully restored building and sipping coffee on First Avenue. Two blocks later, you’re dodging trash and wondering what happened.

For longtime locals, that whiplash isn’t new. But something changed recently. Spokane’s City Council just passed a sweeping new ordinance aimed at restoring order downtown—and they did it with a unanimous vote.

What the New Law Actually Does

The ordinance gives officers more tools when handling issues like sidewalk obstruction, illegal camping, and damage to public property. Police now have the option to connect someone with services, issue citations, or arrest when necessary.

What makes this different is how wide the support has been. Everyone from Catholic Charities to Greater Spokane Inc. to First Avenue Coffee has backed this ordinance. That kind of consensus is rare, and it signals a real appetite for change.

Public Reaction: Raw and Real

When locals were asked how they feel about downtown, their answers hit hard. Some described feeling unsafe in what should be the heart of the city. Others talked about how much potential the area still has, if only things would turn around.

But beneath the frustration, one theme kept showing up: hope. People want downtown to work. They want to feel proud of it. And that’s something the city can build on.

Personal Stories That Don’t Show Up in the Data

One potential buyer flew to Spokane to explore neighborhoods. They had one negative experience downtown—and decided not to move here at all. That single afternoon shifted their entire life plan.

These are the moments that don’t show up in housing reports or census data. But they matter. And they affect how the whole city is perceived, from property values to business growth.

Why Previous Efforts Fell Flat

This ordinance didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It’s the city’s response to years of well-intentioned but ineffective efforts. Spokane led with compassion, but didn’t have the structure to back it up. Shelter beds were limited, departments weren’t coordinated, and enforcement was weak.

In the end, both business owners and outreach workers felt like they were spinning their wheels.

What Makes This Moment Different

This time, the support is broader. Catholic Charities calls it “compassionate realism.” The Downtown Spokane Partnership is asking for “balance.” Everyone involved agrees—this isn’t about criminalizing homelessness. It’s about accountability.

But that only works if the city follows through. That means enough shelter beds, safe transportation, and support for people with pets or partners. If those gaps aren’t closed, we’ll be back where we started in six months.

Why Downtown Impacts Everyone—Even If You Don’t Go There

It might seem like a downtown issue, but the ripple effects hit everywhere. Buyers choosing between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene might skip Spokane entirely if downtown feels unpredictable. Businesses might relocate, like the Land Rover dealership that recently moved to Spokane Valley after reporting $100K in damages from downtown vandalism.

Confidence matters. Whether you're a local homeowner or someone opening a new café, how people feel about downtown shapes Spokane’s future.

Is This the Start of the Turnaround?

It could be. But it’s going to take more than policy. People have to show up again. That means shopping downtown, grabbing lunch on Main Street, using the parks, and holding the city accountable when things don’t work.

This isn’t about hype. It’s about restoring trust—block by block.

Spokane’s new ordinance isn’t a silver bullet. But it’s a reset. The real question is whether we’ll see follow-through—open businesses, consistent patrols, cleaner sidewalks, and more people walking downtown with confidence.

If that happens, Spokane’s downtown could finally live up to the charm it’s always had just beneath the surface. And that’s a future worth showing up for.