Trending...
- Tacoma: Street Closures Projected to Start August 25 for Residential Street Restoration Program Maintenance Work
- City of Spokane Receives $1 Million in Wildfire Housing Assistance
- SPD Detectives are Investigating a Suspicious Death in West Spokane
~ Spokane, WA - The City of Spokane has been recognized for its efforts in environmental and recreation upgrades by the Washington State Department of Commerce. The Governor's Award for SMART Projects was presented to the city yesterday for the Cochran Basin Stormwater Improvement Projects.
The Cochran Basin, which covers over 5,000 acres in north Spokane and collects runoff from residential, commercial, and light industrial properties, is the largest stormwater collection area in the city. The five projects that make up the Cochran Basin Stormwater Improvement facilities have not only improved stormwater management but also provided additional benefits to the community.
One of the projects involved installing a large stormwater conveyance pipe through Downriver Golf Course. This not only helped with stormwater management but also upgraded the irrigation system, resulting in millions of gallons of water being conserved annually. Another project focused on TJ Meenach Dr., where infrastructure connections were installed and a new driving surface was added.
More on Washingtoner
To effectively manage large amounts of stormwater, the Cochran Control Facility was built at the southeast corner of TJ Meenach Dr. and Northwest Blvd. The final stop for stormwater is Downriver Park and Whitewater Disc Golf Course. These areas have seen improvements such as better access and parking for river recreation enthusiasts, as well as engineered natural facilities like tiered swale structures with native plants and filtration ponds to fight pollution.
Marlene Feist, Public Works Director, expressed her pride in receiving this award and highlighted how these projects not only manage stormwater but also turn environmental challenges into community assets. She also emphasized how combining river protection with outdoor recreation is a win-win situation.
Garrett Jones, Parks and Recreation Director, also praised these projects as an example of successful collaboration between different government departments. He stated that their goal of being the best parks system in the nation is being achieved through collaborative projects like this one.
More on Washingtoner
Apart from improving river health, these projects have also provided other benefits to the community. These include improved outdoor recreational areas at Downriver Park, an 18-hole redesigned Whitewater Disc Golf Course, and a resurfaced TJ Meenach Dr. and nearby residential streets.
The total cost of these projects was $25.5 million, with most of the funding coming from the Washington State Department of Ecology and local utility and streets funding. Planning and design for these projects began in 2017, construction started in 2019, and they were completed in 2024.
The Cochran Basin collects stormwater runoff from a large area, stretching from Market St. and Francis Ave. to the TJ Meenach Bridge. The majority of this runoff comes from residential areas (85%), with smaller contributions from commercial (2%) and light industrial (3%) properties.
It is estimated that thousands of people access the Spokane River every year through City of Spokane Parks locations. With these improvements to stormwater management and recreational areas, the city is making great strides towards its goal of being the best parks system in the nation.
The Cochran Basin, which covers over 5,000 acres in north Spokane and collects runoff from residential, commercial, and light industrial properties, is the largest stormwater collection area in the city. The five projects that make up the Cochran Basin Stormwater Improvement facilities have not only improved stormwater management but also provided additional benefits to the community.
One of the projects involved installing a large stormwater conveyance pipe through Downriver Golf Course. This not only helped with stormwater management but also upgraded the irrigation system, resulting in millions of gallons of water being conserved annually. Another project focused on TJ Meenach Dr., where infrastructure connections were installed and a new driving surface was added.
More on Washingtoner
- Spokane City Council Members Introduce Tenant Protections
- Gigasoft 2026 JavaScript Chart Comparison: ProEssentials, Highcharts, SciChart, LightningChart, ECharts
- Experienced eXp Realty Agent Kerri Lawless Guides Buyers and Sellers Through Life's Next Chapters in St. Tammany Parish
- Supreme Garage Door Repair Redirects Marketing Dollars Into North Texas Communities
- Spokane: Flags Lowered in Honor of Dolly Parton
To effectively manage large amounts of stormwater, the Cochran Control Facility was built at the southeast corner of TJ Meenach Dr. and Northwest Blvd. The final stop for stormwater is Downriver Park and Whitewater Disc Golf Course. These areas have seen improvements such as better access and parking for river recreation enthusiasts, as well as engineered natural facilities like tiered swale structures with native plants and filtration ponds to fight pollution.
Marlene Feist, Public Works Director, expressed her pride in receiving this award and highlighted how these projects not only manage stormwater but also turn environmental challenges into community assets. She also emphasized how combining river protection with outdoor recreation is a win-win situation.
Garrett Jones, Parks and Recreation Director, also praised these projects as an example of successful collaboration between different government departments. He stated that their goal of being the best parks system in the nation is being achieved through collaborative projects like this one.
More on Washingtoner
- RAS AP Consulting Spotlights Managed AP Governance™ at Esker All Access
- Kent Youth And Family Services Names Omar Malik As New Executive Director
- Spokane: SPD Seek Assistance in Locating Missing Vulnerable Adult Female
- ANSI BSR Upholds Appeal of AFDE Member Andrew Sulner, MSFS, JD, finding the AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB) Violated ANSI Essential Requirements
- Haven Treatment Center Surprises Team Member with New Bicycle After Transportation Challenge
Apart from improving river health, these projects have also provided other benefits to the community. These include improved outdoor recreational areas at Downriver Park, an 18-hole redesigned Whitewater Disc Golf Course, and a resurfaced TJ Meenach Dr. and nearby residential streets.
The total cost of these projects was $25.5 million, with most of the funding coming from the Washington State Department of Ecology and local utility and streets funding. Planning and design for these projects began in 2017, construction started in 2019, and they were completed in 2024.
The Cochran Basin collects stormwater runoff from a large area, stretching from Market St. and Francis Ave. to the TJ Meenach Bridge. The majority of this runoff comes from residential areas (85%), with smaller contributions from commercial (2%) and light industrial (3%) properties.
It is estimated that thousands of people access the Spokane River every year through City of Spokane Parks locations. With these improvements to stormwater management and recreational areas, the city is making great strides towards its goal of being the best parks system in the nation.
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- Popular AI planner Voiset launches version 2.0 and enters MENA at LEAP 2026 with full Arabic support
- Diginyze eCommerce ERP Module Creates Single Source of Truth for Enterprise Operations
- CasaPerks and CredHub Partner to Help the Multifamily Industry Strengthen Resident Activation Through Credit-Building Rewards
- NaturismRE expands international research programme with Health & Wellbeing Survey
- Tacoma: Applications Now Being Accepted for a Position on the Planning Commission
- L2 Aviation and Gotonomi Extend UAV Connectivity Beyond Cellular Reach
- Tacoma: Hylebos Bridge Closed Today for Maintenance Work
- Democratic Candidate Daria Ilgen Announces Taxpayer Accountability Standard for New Taxes
- Re:InvestorHub Launches the First AI-Powered Operating System Built for Real Estate Investors
- Nadi Plumbing Leads Charlotte in Private Fire Hydrant Services, Eyes Regional Expansion
- FindCostSeg Launches Nationwide Directory for Cost Segregation Providers
- Master Of Science, Juggernaut Of The Screen: Landon Brittain Emerges As Hollywood's Most Unlikely Leading Man
- Black Dog Venture Partners and VC Fast Pitch to Host "San Francisco Investors and Innovators" Networking Event
- ExtraCarry Adds Pocket-Carry Holder for POM Pepper Spray
- City of Spokane Receives $1 Million in Wildfire Housing Assistance
- New Book, The KI of Marketing, Helps Small Businesses Grow Without Trying to Outspend Bigger Competitors
- ExtraCarry Adds .327 Federal Magnum to Speed Strip Pocket Holder Lineup
- Tacoma: Street Closures Projected to Start August 25 for Residential Street Restoration Program Maintenance Work
- Food Journal Magazine Focuses Its Los Angeles Dining Coverage Across Three Editorial Verticals
- Gravity Payments and Suno Software Partner to Simplify Payments for Independent Hearing Clinics