Introduction and Factual Lead
The ten-story Spokane Parkade, a downtown landmark that has defined the city’s skyline since 1967, is undergoing a major renovation designed to revitalize the downtown core. Originally designed by architect Warren Heylman to function as a plaza filled with people and color, the historic structure now features ongoing construction on its plaza level. Led by Uptic Studios and Visit Spokane, the project aims to bring the building’s distinctive arches back to life while establishing a new headquarters for Visit Spokane and creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
What Changed
The historic Spokane Parkade is undergoing significant physical transformations on its ground level. Construction is currently underway on the plaza level to build a new headquarters for Visit Spokane. The renovation effort brings the building’s distinctive arches back to life and creates a more pedestrian-friendly main level. Additionally, Visit Spokane has already begun hosting events in the shared plaza space.
According to Cody Rathbun of Uptic Studios, the project honors the building’s unique local presence. Rathbun stated, “Aside from its history, it’s such a strong, identifiable specifically Spokane landmark. There are so many graphics and t-shirts and stickers and so many things that clearly have that tower of the Parkade on their shirts or on those graphics.” Rathbun added, “I think Spokane has a very good vision of growth that we like. We have a beautiful downtown, like, let’s gear it up.”
Context and Background
Designed by architect Warren Heylman, the Parkade was originally built to accommodate nearly 1,000 vehicles. Featuring skywalks that provide access to neighboring buildings on most sides, the structure has served as an essential urban connector for decades. Last year, the building earned official recognition on the National Register of Historical Places, underscoring its architectural and cultural significance to the region.
Despite its historical status and utility, local organizations and design firms saw an opportunity to reconnect the structure with the streetscape. The current collaboration between Uptic Studios and Visit Spokane seeks to honor Heylman’s original vision of a vibrant urban plaza filled with human activity rather than just parked automobiles.
Sector Impact and Business Implications
The renovations and improvements are designed to draw more visitors to downtown Spokane and encourage community engagement. By relocating Visit Spokane to the plaza level and opening up shared public spaces, the project introduces a fresh anchor of foot traffic directly into the downtown core.
Local business owners have expressed optimism regarding the physical changes and the potential for increased downtown activity. Garrett Bekemeyer, manager of nearby business Entropy, noted the early positive effects of the shared space. Bekemeyer observed, “They’ve started doing events in our shared plaza out here that’s showing, like, hey, we have this great space, let’s utilize it.” Bekemeyer also stated, “It’s wonderful that Visit Spokane wants to invest in that identity as well.”
Who May Be Affected
Downtown visitors, local pedestrians, area merchants, and businesses near the Parkade are directly affected by the ongoing revitalization. Pedestrians will benefit from the more accessible and visually engaging main-level design, while local business operators stand to gain from enhanced visitor foot traffic and structured events in the shared plaza space. Visit Spokane itself experiences a direct operational shift by establishing its new headquarters within the historic landmark.
Risks, Limitations, and Uncertainties
While construction progress is visible and events have commenced in the shared plaza, certain logistical details remain open. Specifically, while construction is underway, the exact completion timeline for the overall project remains unclear. Stakeholders and visitors must navigate active construction zones on the plaza level as the phased improvements continue.
What to Watch Next
Observers and downtown stakeholders will monitor the progress of the plaza-level construction and the ongoing events hosted by Visit Spokane. Future updates will likely clarify the final completion timeline and measure how successfully the pedestrian-friendly ground-level changes draw increased community engagement and sustained visitor activity to downtown Spokane.
Attribution
Reporting and factual details for this article are based on coverage provided by KXLY and research documentation detailing the Spokane Parkade restoration project.