The SURGE project, which completely resurfaced south Lincoln Street from 17th to 29th avenues, is the first of its kind in Spokane. One of the project’s goals is to divert stormwater from the wastewater treatment plant. In this case, the water will be filtered by “storm gardens” — otherwise known as bioinfiltration cells — and piped to the Cannon Hill pond.
The ceremony will begin at 19th and Lincoln with a short tutorial on how the “storm gardens” work. Activities will end after a short walk to the pond.
Construction on Lincoln Street cost $1.7 million and was paid for by a 10-year street bond and the city’s wastewater department.
A similar project happened on Broadway from Oak to Elm streets, which is also completed but has not had an official unveiling. According to the city, this project cost $422,000 and was funded by the stimulus package and the city’s wastewater department. — Nicholas Deshais
America's Mayor
You may have heard that “America’s Mayor” Rudy Giuliani is coming to the Spokane Arena on Aug. 17 as part of Get Motivated!, a day-long business seminar with several speakers including Colin Powell and Gonzaga’s Mark Few. (Single tickets are only $4.95.)
We’re not sure what portion of the gate is going to Giuliani personally, but with news last week of his daughter’s shoplifting arrest, he may need the money to mount her legal defense. According to the New York Times, Giuliani’s 20-year-old daughter, Caroline, was arrested in New York last week when employees at an Upper East Side cosmetics shop caught her pocketing makeup worth more than $100.
This has created a bit of media frenzy, including a report by CBS, which included speculation from a child psychologist that Caroline may be trying to stick it to her father, from whom she’s reportedly estranged.
Either way, more fodder for his motivational speech on perseverance to us Spokies. — Jacob H. Fries
Skate or Die
The Parks Department is putting together a user/interest group to improve the UTF (Under The Freeway) skate park downtown. They’re hoping to clean up, redesign and rebuild the huge, lighted, covered park. Are you a skater? A skater hater? Wanna be in on the discussion? E-mail Mike Aho at maho@spokanecity.org. — Joel Smith
