Spokane: City Presented with Governor's Award for Cochran Basin Stormwater Improvement Projects
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~ Spokane, WA- The City of Spokane was honored today by the Washington State Department of Commerce with the Governor's Award for SMART Projects for their Cochran Basin Stormwater Improvement Projects. This prestigious award recognizes the city's innovative and thoughtful approach to managing stormwater while also creating community assets.

The Cochran Basin, which covers over 5,000 acres in north Spokane, is the largest stormwater collection area in the city. It collects runoff from residential, commercial, and light industrial properties. In order to improve the health of the Spokane River and create recreational opportunities for residents, the city embarked on a series of five projects.

The first project involved installing a large stormwater conveyance pipe through Downriver Golf Course. This not only helped manage stormwater but also upgraded the irrigation system, allowing the course to conserve millions of gallons of water annually. The second project focused on TJ Meenach Dr., where extensive infrastructure connections were installed and a new driving surface was added.

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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 two projects were completed at Downriver Park and Whitewater Disc Golf Course. These areas now feature improved access and parking for river recreation enthusiasts as well as engineered natural facilities such as tiered swale structures with native plants and filtration ponds to fight pollution.

Marlene Feist, Public Works Director for the City of Spokane, expressed her pride in receiving this award stating, "This award recognizes the innovation, engineering, and thoughtful design needed to construct facilities that not only manage stormwater but also turn environmental challenges into community assets." She also highlighted how this project aligns with their goal of protecting the river while providing outdoor recreational opportunities.

Garrett Jones, Parks and Recreation Director for Spokane Parks & Recreation Department, emphasized how this project is an example of government collaboration at its best. He stated, "We have a goal of being the best parks system in the nation, and it's collaborative projects like this that put us well on our way."

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Aside from improving river health, the Cochran Basin Stormwater Improvement projects also provide numerous benefits for the community. These include improved outdoor recreational areas at Downriver Park, an 18-hole redesigned Whitewater Disc Golf Course, upgraded irrigation system for Downriver 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 began in 2017, with construction starting in 2019 and completion in 2024.

The Cochran Basin collects stormwater runoff from over 5,000 acres reaching from Market St. and Francis Ave. to the TJ Meenach Bridge. The majority of this runoff comes from residential areas (85%), followed by commercial (2%) and light industrial (3%). With thousands of people accessing the Spokane River every year from City of Spokane Parks locations, these improvements will have a significant impact on both the environment and community.

The City of Spokane is proud to receive this recognition for their efforts in managing stormwater while also creating valuable community assets. This project serves as an example of how thoughtful planning and collaboration can lead to successful outcomes for both the environment and residents.

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