In mid-February, the city began what it called a “test” of a new “health and safety measure”—a set of two fences on each sidewalk underneath the Browne Street underpass. City leadership described it as a “way to make downtown a welcoming environment” by reducing the likelihood that people experiencing homelessness would camp along the sidewalk.

Appropriately, the cage attracted ridicule and scorn on social media. Commentators noted the potential reduction in ADA-compliant access for wheelchair users, given that the width of the walkway appeared to be reduced to less than three feet. Some expressed that the reduced width and more enclosed space would make them feel less safe, particularly at night. Still others posted images showcasing the similarities between the new cage and a prison walkway. Many felt that this represented another attempt by city leadership to make life more difficult for people experiencing homelessness, especially given that the city’s press release acknowledged that the city still doesn’t have enough low-barrier overnight shelter space.

Overall, not a good start for a “way to make downtown a welcoming environment”.

Now, don’t get me wrong, we can absolutely do more to ensure that downtown feels safe, welcoming, and inclusive for everyone. But we need to do so in the right way, and that starts by remembering one fundamental truth: people make downtown welcoming, not security measures.

What if we spent less time, money, and energy discouraging so-called bad actors, and more time, money, and energy encouraging more people of all walks of life to come downtown?

With more people coming downtown for events, dining, catching a show, or socializing, our local small businesses would see increased revenue, allowing them to grow, maybe even by hiring more local workers. Our arts and culture scene would garner more patrons, allowing them to bring bigger, better acts to town or increase their programming to showcase local artists’ work. With increased activity downtown, our real estate community would probably see dollar signs in redeveloping more downtown properties that have stood vacant or served as empty parking lots. As this virtuous cycle continues, the City of Spokane would see increased sales and business and occupation tax revenue, allowing it to reinvest both in downtown and other areas of our city.

And all the while, with more people of all walks of life coming downtown, a few so-called “bad actors” would be less likely to taint our experience.

The city spent tens of thousands of dollars on the Browne Street underpass cage. The Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) intends to spend nearly one million dollars in 2022 on “clean and safe” programs, but only $120,000 on beautification and placemaking, only $105,000 on marketing, and only $15,000 on cultural events. 

Would we be worse off if we decided to spend more on the events, the activations, the marketing work to bring more people downtown, and less on “clean and safe” activities? 

I’d venture to guess that we’d be better off, especially if the shift was made in combination with the launch of a true low-barrier shelter for people who need it. 

For downtown and for our city, I hope our leaders choose more often to focus on bringing more people downtown, rather than driving certain people out.