The city of Spokane says it likely will sell or lease out part of the roughly 63-acre former Playfair Race Course property in East Spokane to provide additional revenue for the city.


The city has set aside part of that property to expand its storm-water facilities, but will determine soon how much land it needs for that expansion, and will then know how much of the land can be marketed for other uses, says city spokeswoman Marlene Feist. The storm-water facilities might be built underground, in which case development could occur at ground level above them, Feist says.


She says various potential users have expressed interest in the Playfair property, but the city isnt disclosing their names. Mayor Dennis Hession and the City Council are considering the types of developments they would want to occur there, particularly those that would take advantage of the railroad lines that run through the property, such as transportation or shipping services, Feist says. The city likely will issue a request for proposals for projects that would fill a need in the Spokane area, then issue another RFP for a specific project, she says.


Its a good site, and were excited about the possibilities there, Feist says. Right now, were asking what needs we could solve in the neighborhood or the greater Spokane community.


Though the city is considering selling part or all of the property, long-term leases would provide an ongoing revenue stream for its general fund, which pays for basic services such as police and fire, she says. Hession also is looking for other city-owned properties that could be sold or leased out to raise additional revenue, and has asked the citys real estate department to compile an inventory of the citys real estate assets, she says.


The city bought the Playfair property in 2004 for $6.3 million. At the time, Spokane County was considering using the land for an expansion of its waste-water system. The county later chose the former Stockyards site located near Trent Avenue and Freya Street for that expansion.


Contact Emily Brandler at (509) 344-1265 or via e-mail at emilyb@spokanejournal.com.