The University District

UDPDA Public Records Information

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

To submit a public records request to the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) please utilize this form. Alternatively, requests can be emailed to Public Records Officer, info@spokaneudistrict.org, or sent via U.S. mail to UDPDA, 120 N Pine St, Ste 252, Spokane WA 99202.

The UDPDA provides access to public records under the provisions of the Washington State Public Disclosure Act (RCW 42.56) and the UDPDA Public Records Policy. Per RCW 42.56.520 please allow five business days to respond to a records request.

All records maintained by the UDPDA are available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. You are entitled to access public records, under reasonable conditions, and copies of those records can be provided upon paying copying costs. In most cases, you do not have to explain why you want the records. However, specific information may be necessary to process your request. The UDPDA may require further information to establish if disclosure would violate certain provisions of law.

The more precisely you can identify the record(s) you seek, the more responsive the UDPDA can be. The UDPDA provides access to existing public records in its possession but is not required to collect information or organize data to create a record not existing at the time of the request. Keep in mind that a question or request for information only is not a request for a record.

2025 University District Board and Committee Meeting Dates

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Advance agendas will be posted approximately 3-4 days before the meeting. Contact info@spokaneudistrict.org if you need a Zoom link for the UDPDA or EAC meetings.

In 2025, the University District Development Association (UDDA) board of directors will meet on February 5, March 5, April 9, May 7, June 4 (retreat), September 3 (annual meeting), and October 15. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2025, the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) board of directors will meet on February 5, March 5, April 9, May 7, June 4, September 3 (annual meeting), and October 15. Meetings (unless otherwise indicated in the agenda) are at the Catalyst Building, 601 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, Room 309.

In 2025 the UDDA/UDPDA Executive Action Committee (EAC) will meet on the following dates at 11:30 AM via Zoom. Please email info@spokaneudistrict.org for virtual link. January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, August 19, September 16, and December TBD.

University District U-Forward Monthly E-Newsletter Issues

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Below are links to our most recent monthly U-Forward external e-newsletters which we launched in April 2022.

2025 - January, February, March

2024 - No issue November and December, October 2024, September 2024, August 2024, July 2024, no issue May or June, April 2024, March 2024, February 2024, January 2024

2023 - No issue December, November 2023, October 2023, September 2023, August 2023, no July issue, June 2023, May 2023, April 2023, March 2023, February 2023, January 2023

2022 - No December issue, November 2022, October 2022, September 2022, August 2022, July 2022, June 2022, May 2022 ,April 2022 (first issue)

Registration Open for Boulevard Race 2025 – Join the Fight Against Cancer Sept 21

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

We call the opening of our registration Boulevard Rush and we are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for The Boulevard Race 2025! Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 21, 2025, and join us in downtown Spokane's University District for a memorable 4-mile run or walk dedicated to supporting Community Cancer Fund. This year’s race will have all the COW bells and whistles you can imagine: DJs, Scream Tunnels, Cheer Zones, Post-Race Beer Garden, Race Bead Bling, Donuts, Bag Pipes, Frozen Zone, Bubbles, The Hill, Blazing Fast Elites, The Great PNW shirt and yes . . . more DJs! Time to bring the show!

Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025

Start Time: 10:00 AM

Location: Spokane Falls Blvd Bridge by Gonzaga University

Distance: 4 miles

To REGISTER.

University District 2025 Impact Award Nominations Open, Deadline Aug 1

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT (UD) IMPACT AWARD INFORMATION

BACKGROUND

The University District’s Impact Award recognizes individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated excellence in leadership through deep local engagement and exceptional initiative. The award is designed to acknowledge those who provide thoughtful, community-driven, innovative, and sustainable solutions to critical issues facing the University District.

Past University District Impact Award recipients include:

2017 – Dave and Mari Clack received the inaugural award at a UD community celebration at Gonzaga University for their pioneering, seminal, and enduring contributions to the University District.
2018 – no award
2019 – Kim Pearman-Gillman was celebrated during the University District Gateway Bridge opening in May 2019 for her leadership in bringing that game-changing project to fruition and for her longstanding service to the UD Board.
2020 – Dean Allen, McKinstry CEO, received the 2020 award for his transformative role in developing the south landing of the Gateway Bridge and the “Health Peninsula,” the new home of the UW-GU Health Partnership Building.
2021 – Jim Sheehan was honored for his decades of service to Spokane as a public defender, community leader, philanthropist, and environmental activist. His investment in and transformation of East Main Ave into a vibrant commercial and community hub was catalytic for the UD.
2022 – Kim Zentz received the 2022 award for her years of community service on several Spokane boards and non-profits (including the University District) as well as her leadership roles during her distinguished career in the utility, economic development, higher education, and energy sectors.
2023 – Rich Hadley received the 2023 award posthumously as a major driver in the establishment of the University District. Rich worked tirelessly to build and sustain economic growth in our area and was a force in bringing the Washington State University Elson S Floyd College of Medicine into existence.
2025 – Scott Morris, a much-admired business and philanthropic leader in the Spokane community, received the 2024 award for his pivotal role in the era-defining transformation of the South Landing of the University District Gateway Bridge, home to the internationally renowned Catalyst Building and Scott Morris Center for Energy Innovation.

ELIGIBILITY
Individuals or organizations may receive this award. Previous award winners and current University District board members or staff are not eligible. The nominee’s work must serve populations in the University District.

AWARD TO INDIVIDUAL
This award is given to someone who has significantly contributed to the University District and whose collaborative work and selfless leadership have inspired community action and measurable impact.

AWARD TO ORGANIZATION
This award is given to an organization that demonstrates an exemplary commitment to improving the University District, supporting its stakeholders, and creating greater community health, wealth, equity, and opportunity in the District. The nominated organization will have undertaken collaborative and pioneering efforts to benefit University District development, revitalization, economic prosperity, innovation, public health and safety, and community engagement.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION

The University District Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) can initiate a public or closed nomination process. It can receive nominations informally, provided sufficient information is available to evaluate the nominee by the published deadline. Before evaluation and deliberation, the EAC will decide on the timeline for submissions, selection, and recognition. Those making nominations may be asked to provide additional information, if necessary. The EAC will confirm nominees' eligibility and will present their recommendation(s) to the UDDA board of directors for award selection.

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT (UD) IMPACT AWARD 2025 APPLICATION

Members of the public who wish to nominate a person or organization for the annual University District Impact Award are required to submit a Word document (maximum two pages) that includes responses to the following:

TELL US ABOUT WHO THE NOMINEE SERVES IN THE UNIVERSITY DISTRICT (UD)

Please describe the community, organizations, and/or individuals served in the University District by this candidate.

WHAT DOES THE NOMINEE DO FOR THE UD AND WHY IS THAT WORK IMPORTANT?

Please tell us about the nature of the nominee’s work and why it matters. Examples include:

Thoughtful Leader: Has a record of demonstrated leadership in their field and community; friends, colleagues, other thought leaders, and peers look to the nominee as a source of inspiration, knowledge, and empowerment.
Community Catalyst: Has a history of stepping up, spearheading catalytic projects, and employing solutions that demonstrate a deep local understanding of the University District community and its diverse stakeholders and that advance the overall health, well-being, and prosperity of the UD community.
Selfless Collaborator: Works with and is informed by other University District or Spokane community leaders, organizations, agencies, faith groups, and/or sectors to break down silos and build collaborative solutions.
Trail Blazer: Has vision and the ability to build momentum around novel, placemaking, or game-changing ideas; willing to take risks to achieve results for future generations.

WHAT SETS THE NOMINEE APART?

Describe how the nominee works to lead, collaborate, and transform outcomes in the University District in truly unique ways. Provide 2-3 concrete examples of the nominee’s singular impact in the UD and/or challenges the nominee(s) has addressed/overcome in the District.

DEADLINE AND EVALUATION

Please submit nominations to info@spokaneudistrict.org by 10 AM Pacific, Friday, August 1, 2025. Please provide your contact information for follow-up questions, if any. Final recommendation(s) will be presented to the University District board of directors in October, and the Impact Award presentation will occur at a holiday party on December 10, 2025.

NEED MORE INFO?

If you have any questions, please contact info@spokaneudistrict.org or 509 255 8038.

OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE THE NEXT 20+ YEARS OF SPOKANE'S REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Opportunity to shape the next 20+ years of Spokane’s Regional Transportation system

The time is beginning for members of the public to help envision the future of Spokane County’s transportation system. Through the development of a long-range transportation plan that extends to the year 2050, people can weigh in on the future transportation needs of their community.

This transportation plan, titled Horizon 2050, is the key document for long-range transportation planning in the Spokane County region. “Development of Horizon 2050 provides an opportunity for SRTC to bring communities together to share thoughts about the future of our region and transportation solutions that will be needed to support that future,” said Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) Executive Director Lois Bollenback.

2050 will contain information on important transportation projects, needs for all modes of transportation, planned transportation investments, updated population and land use projections and more. Members of the public have multiple opportunities to be a part of the plan’s development process and comment on their transportation experiences.

An 8-question survey is available and will be open through early Summer 2025. There will also be a series oof workshops around the region where people can talk with SRTC planners and other agency staff, share their thoughts face-to-face and participate in educational transportation activities. These public meetings will share information on transportation data, identified regional needs, major projects and other additional resources.

Comments will be considered throughout the development of the plan. The draft report is expected to be complete by November 2025 and there will be a month-long public comment period for final public review.

“This is an important plan for the Spokane region, and it will be better informed with input from people throughout our community who use it each day to drive, walk, bike or take the bus. I encourage members of the public to attend a workshop, participate in our survey or reach out to us through our project website. Your voice matters,” said Bollenback.

For more information, visit www.srtc.org/horizon-2050.

Horizon 2050 Workshops

February 24 | 10:00 am to 2:00 pm - Eastern Washington University Cheney Campus
February 25 | 9:00 am to 1:00 pm – University District Catalyst Building
March 3 | 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm – Spokane Liberty Park Library
March 6 | 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm – Airway Heights Recreation Center
April 1 | 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm - Spokane Valley Library
April 17 | 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm – Spokane Central Library

About Spokane Regional Transportation Council
The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) is the lead agency for transportation planning for the area covered by Spokane County. As the region’s metropolitan planning organization (MPO) and regional transportation planning organization (RTPO), SRTC develops plans and programs that coordinate transportation planning throughout the Spokane region. SRTC’s Board of Directors is made up of elected officials across Spokane County, who make important planning and funding decisions for the region. For more information on SRTC and member jurisdictions, visit http://srtc.org.

SRTC is committed to nondiscrimination in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.O. 100.259) and the Americans with Disabilities Act. A person with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the SRTC office by telephone at (509) 343-6370 or by email at contact.srtc@srtc.org at least 48 hours in advance. Persons with hearing impairment may contact (509) 343-6387 through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.

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UDDA Board Member Applications Accepted through May 28

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The University District Development Association (UDDA) has up to three elected/at-large director positions open starting in 2026. New directors will be selected by the UD Nominating Committee in part according to their demonstrated level of engagement with the University District as well as the leadership skills, expertise, and resources they bring to the board.

By way of background, the UDDA oversees the vision related to investments (funded by public monies, grants, and partnerships) in public infrastructure, parks, open space, and district amenities. The organization's key strategic roadmaps: U Vision 2044 and the Next Generation Conceptual Plan 2065 underscore the board's work supporting innovations in life sciences, energy and mobility, placemaking, nature-informed urban design, and small business support.

UDDA elected directors may serve two consecutive three-year terms starting January 1, 2026. Board members are required to attend approximately six board meetings per year (typically the first Wednesday of the month, from 3:30 PM-5:00 PM), participate on board committees and at special events as needed, provide direct or in-kind resources, and abide by the board Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Policies.

UDDA board members also are encouraged to attend the board meetings of the other University District entity: the University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA). UDPDA meetings are scheduled immediately before UDDA meetings and are subject to the state’s Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act.

To be considered for an open UDDA board seat, please submit an application by May 28, 2025, at 9:00 AM Pacific.

No advance information regarding the status of your application will be provided before September 3, 2025, at which time the board plans to vote on filling the open positions. After the meeting, we will contact all applicants regarding the board’s decision. For a list of our current members, see this web page.

Again, thank you so much for your interest in a leadership and service role with the University District.

To apply, please complete this form by May 28 at 9:00 AM.

EWU Business Leadership event, featuring Steve Helmbrecht May 21

Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

EWU School of Business is hosting another terrific talk in their Business Leadership Series.

Parking in the Catalyst lot is free of charge and refreshments will be served. Please join EWU students, faculty members and fellow community leaders to listen to and dialog with Steve on the afternoon of May 21.

If you are planning on attending, we would appreciate a rsvp via the QR code below.

Hoopfest registration open until May 18

Sat, 17 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

This year will include all divisions such as family, adult, high school, youth (1st-8th), Special Olympics, wheelchair, and unified!

Guaranteed Registration deadline is May 18th. Join us for 35th Anniversary of the Best Basketball Weekend on Earth!

To register, see this link.

To voluntee, see this link.

Study reveals tremendous need for child care in the UD

Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

(as reported by Madeleine Mullins KXLY)

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Finding affordable child care near where you live and work is a challenge for many parents. Spokane's University District is working to solve this problem for local families.

"There is definitely a tremendous need for child care within the district. There's a tremendous amount of children and a tremendous amount of single parents within the district itself," said Juliet Sinisterra, CEO of the University District.

A recent study by the University District found a significant gap in child care services. The area, home to students, professors, medical professionals, and families, has identified this as a pressing need.

"Child care is just a key component to urbanism. A healthy urban environment needs to have accessible, affordable, well-run childcare facilities," said Sinisterra.

This problem extends beyond Spokane. According to Child Care Aware of Washington, the state has lost 2,000 childcare providers over the past 12 years, leaving fewer options for parents.

Some parents have made tough choices due to the shortage. Elizabeth Terril, a mother of two, shared her experience: "I transitioned to a stay-at-home mom because we just couldn't find a child care solution that would make it worthwhile for us."

Terril noted that many families don't have the option to live on one income.

The University District is now planning solutions.

"We're actually looking to be implementing some of this work in the next few years, to really create this kind of living, vibrant district that supports people going to school, working, raising children, but living in a thriving urban environment," Sinisterra said.

The goal is to create a family-friendly neighborhood where parents can access quality child care near their homes and workplaces.