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Business, Hospitality Leaders Propose Joe Albi Replacement Move Downtown

Courtesy of Downtown Spokane Partnership.

A coalition of business, hospitality leaders and a professional soccer league are again asking Spokane Public Schools to consider building the new Joe Albi Stadium downtown.

Business and hospitality groups have been advocating that a new stadium be built downtown for years.

They argue it would be a boon for business and attract professional sports teams. Voters were asked if they wanted a stadium downtown, or at the current Joe Albi site in 2018.  About 64% voted no.

Mark Richard, the President of the Downtown Spokane Partnership organization, said their coalition have addressed voters concerns with their new proposal.

“What we believe is everything in the world frankly has changed since that vote,” Richard said. “We also have paid close attention to the comments and the feedback that was gathered during that process and we’ve tried head on to address those concerns. “

He said the stadium the group is now proposing would have free parking for students and their families. The building would be constructed with Spokane Public Schools’ existing stadium budget.  Maintenance and operations costs would be covered by the Spokane Public Facilities District, which currently runs the Spokane Arena and other event venues in the region.

The United Soccer League would also contribute $2 million to the project.

Neither the Spokane Public Facilities District or = Spokane Public School Board members have weighed in on this proposal.

Richard said he hoped to present the idea to the School District and Public Facilities District before the end of the month.

According to The Spokesman-Review, the School District already applied for building permits for the new Northwest Joe Albi Stadium.

The new stadium would be on the North Bank of the Spokane River near the Podium and Spokane Arena. It could house 5,000 fans.

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