Tall towers would be allowed in much larger swathe of downtown Spokane under likely reform

Spokane's city leaders are on the verge of implementing a transformative reform that would eliminate height restrictions on new buildings in a more extensive section of downtown. Mayor Lisa Brown has advocated for this proposal, emphasizing its potential to unlock new opportunities for housing, business growth, and job creation. Currently, most of downtown is limited to buildings no higher than 12 stories, while the tallest structure, the Bank of America Financial Center, stands at 20 stories. If the City Council approves the ordinance, it would initiate a six-month period of community engagement to gauge public interest and feedback on the changes. Brown noted that developers from cities like Salt Lake City and Seattle have expressed interest in Spokane, contingent upon relaxed building codes.

This proposal is part of a broader effort to modernize Spokane's urban landscape and promote economic development. Additionally, some exceptions will remain, such as regulations protecting specific views and preventing excessive shading in certain areas. The next hearing for this proposal is set for the Spokane City Council meeting on March 3.