Spokane City Council could soon act on plans to build new Municipal Justice Center

May 2, 2022 1:04 PM

Posted: May 2, 2022 1:04 PM

Screenshot: Google Maps

SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane City Council could soon act on a plan to build a new Municipal Justice Center.

Council President Breean Beggs and Councilwoman Lori Kinnear are putting forward a resolution to urge Mayor Nadine Woodward and her administration to begin negotiations to purchase a property at 3900 E. Sprague.

The resolution says the Municipal Justice Center would house court personnel, public defenders, prosecutors, as well as a significant number of Spokane Police Department personnel.

Beggs and Kinnear believe the current spaces are inadequate and there are no opportunities to upgrade them.

The new possible location is a 5.8-acre property currently owned by Premera Blue Cross. The sale would include existing furniture, emergency generators, as well as surface and covered parking.

The proposed resolution states the property is adjacent to other property that could be purchased for additional police officers.

According to the resolution, the city intends to fund the new property by selling two City-owned buildings (909 W. Mallon and 1427 W. Gardner), using American Rescue Plan funds and through a SIP loan to be repaid by future Criminal Justice Assistance Sales tax proceeds.

The City Council will discuss the resolution during Monday night’s meeting.