Helping Business is Our Business!

The DSP accomplishes its mission through advocating for public policies, business and project development, quality planning, physical improvement projects, public safety, beautification, and marketing programs that ensure Downtown's continued success.

The DSP board meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month to discuss budget, management and program delivery issues on behalf of the DSP membership, setting policies and strategic direction to build a more vital Downtown.

In order to ensure Downtown's continued success, the DSP actively pursues five strategic initiatives in collaboration with its partners, subsidiary corporation Ventures, and the community:

The BID was created by Spokane City Council in July 1995 and reauthorized in 2001 at the request of the area's business and property owners. The City of Spokane hires the DSP to administer the BID on the City's behalf to deliver enhanced services including clean, safe, promotions, and parking in order to make Downtown a more attractive place to visit, shop, and invest.

Comprising approximately 80-blocks of the Central Business District, the BID boundaries are generally Maple to Browne, and the Railroad Viaduct to North River Drive. (BID MAP) More than 900 businesses and 426 property owners are contained within the area. Special assessments of over $825,000 from within the BID fund activities, programs, and management. Property assessments are based on land and improvement values and businesses are assessed based upon square footage, use, and location.

The BID is governed by the Ratepayer Advisory Board (RAB), which meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month to discuss budget, management, and program delivery issues on behalf of the BID Ratepayers.  Board positions are designated by geography, business, and property type to ensure that the business district's interests are well represented and served.

The BID programs of clean, safe, fun, and parking have been fundamental since 1995, stabilizing Downtown and stimulating new investment. The BID encourages investment by providing the revenue and political will, to keep our commercial streets clean, safe, and economically vibrant.

Ventures is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit development corporation established by the DSP to implement specific Downtown projects.

Ventures collaborates with public and private entities to overcome any obstacles in conducting business Downtown. Ventures promotes sound growth and development of the Downtown Spokane area through the undertaking of public and private improvement programs within the context of The Plan for a New Downtown.

The Ventures Board includes DSP and non-DSP members, meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month, and has enjoyed success in implementing elements of the Downtown Plan since 2000.

Ventures is dedicated to carrying out projects, programs, and actions that give life to The Plan for a New Downtown and build continual momentum for Downtown.

Ventures is most involved in the business and project development including such projects as the Post Street two-way conversion and pedestrian enhancements, Downtown housing focus groups, housing code amendments, Downtown gateway design issues, and more.

Ventures charge is to articulate through action the policy direction of the DSP.