"A Thousand Visions" - A Transportation Planning Game, is available online at www.spokanetransportationvision.com.  It allows players to choose the level they are willing to be 'taxed', which determines how much money they have to spend on transportation improvements.  Players are then challenged to 'fund' projects they prioritize as highest for the region, much like buying properties in the game Monopoly. The goal is to make it through all available projects, funding those players consider most important, without blowing their budget. The game takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

SRTC hopes that at least 1,000 people will use this opportunity to help shape the region's transportation vision. For more information on The Transportation Vision Project or A Thousand Visions game, please visit the project website, the project Facebook page or call Staci Lehman at (509) 343-6370.  

As the City's $2.1 million Second Avenue improvement project continues from Howard Street to Sunset Boulevard, the public is reminded that Downtown businesses remain open and there are alternative routes available to get you where you want to go Downtown.

During construction, motorists are also able to use Washington, Stevens, Division or Browne streets as alternatives for north-south traffic. East-west traffic are also able to use First, Third or Boone avenues.

Second Avenue is expected to be reopened to regular traffic in mid-November in time for the holiday season. The street will be available for normal use throughout the winter season. Next spring, a final top lift of pavement will be added to the Second Ave. from Howard through Sunset Boulevard section and this work is expected to take one month. Second Ave. construction from Division to Howard will occur after this top lift of pavement is placed.

More information will be provided on construction updates as it becomes available. If you have questions about the current construction, please call for Field Engineer Bill Todd at 625-7722 or attend the City's weekly construction meetings Friday mornings at 8:00 am at Global Credit Union (2nd and Maple). Media inquiries about the project should be directed to Public Information Coordinator Ann Deasy at 625-6318. For information on the 2011 Second Ave. from Howard to Arthur Streets construction project, please attend the public meeting on Wednesday, November 17, 4:30 p.m. at the Spokane Public Library, 906 W. Main Ave., Room 1-A.

What are you doing to be innovative and sustainable?  Is your Downtown or University District (U.D.) business or building energy efficient? LEED Certified? Do you utilize renewable energy? We want to hear about and promote what Downtown and U.D. businesses are doing, so let us know by sending an e-mail with your sustainable practices to intern@downtownspokane.net.
 
The City of Spokane is SMART with the Sustainable Management of Assets, Resources and Technology (SMART) Program, for more information, click here.

The City of Spokane's Utilities Division is sprucing up the Division Street east-bound off-ramp area by removing overgrown vegetation and replacing it with an innovative landscaping alternative and weed barrier, as a pilot program.

The area will be filled with tumbled colored glass that the Solid Waste Department collects through the City's recycling program.  This will not only add color to the area, but also will make maintenance more efficient. If the pilot project is successful, the City will potentially look at providing this alternative in other areas.

Don't forget to send any and all Downtown holiday events to LSangster@downtownspokane.net to be included in the Downtown Holiday calendar of events. Get started now to be sure your events get maximum exposure!

And while you're planning for the holidays, be sure to get an ad in the Annual Downtown Spokane Magazine and/or Downtown Holiday Guide to create a complete representation of Downtown. Contact your Journal of Business rep or Inlander rep to book your ad TODAY!