~ 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.

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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 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.

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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.

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