Erik
@eriklowe.bsky.social
Co-Executive Director at SpokaneReimagined.org.
Pinned
Erik
@eriklowe.bsky.social
· May 18
Why do I spend countless hours of my time advocating for better transit?
Because I know what is possible.
Spokane has the potential to be the most livable, vibrant, and innovative city in North America.
Now is the time.
Because I know what is possible.
Spokane has the potential to be the most livable, vibrant, and innovative city in North America.
Now is the time.
Reposted by Erik
The Fed must set different interest rates in Spokane
Spokane has been killing it with housing reforms:
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The Fed must set different interest rates in Spokane
Reposted by Erik
Spokane has been killing it with housing reforms:
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
November 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Spokane has been killing it with housing reforms:
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
eliminating parking minimums near transit
increasing height maximums
Reducing lot minimums
THE RESULTS? The proof is in the puddin':
Reposted by Erik
Reposted by Erik
After three days of counting, it appears the $450 million Spokane Together bond-levy package is headed toward voter approval.
SCHOOLS BOND (60% required):
Yes: 34,238 (61.2%)
No: 21,749 (38.9%)
PARKS LEVY (50% required):
Yes: 29,210 (55.2%)
No: 23,734 (44.8%)
SCHOOLS BOND (60% required):
Yes: 34,238 (61.2%)
No: 21,749 (38.9%)
PARKS LEVY (50% required):
Yes: 29,210 (55.2%)
No: 23,734 (44.8%)
November 7, 2025 at 1:25 AM
After three days of counting, it appears the $450 million Spokane Together bond-levy package is headed toward voter approval.
SCHOOLS BOND (60% required):
Yes: 34,238 (61.2%)
No: 21,749 (38.9%)
PARKS LEVY (50% required):
Yes: 29,210 (55.2%)
No: 23,734 (44.8%)
SCHOOLS BOND (60% required):
Yes: 34,238 (61.2%)
No: 21,749 (38.9%)
PARKS LEVY (50% required):
Yes: 29,210 (55.2%)
No: 23,734 (44.8%)
Reposted by Erik
Same in Spokane. With a supermajority on council and a willing mayor, we have to run as fast as possible on issues like safe streets, transit, and urban infill.
In NJ, in VA, in NYC, it's time to get to work.
There are no permanent majorities. There are only moments of time when parties can assemble a majority of voters around a set of ideas. You have to take that moment and run as fast as you can, before the next election breaks your stride.
There are no permanent majorities. There are only moments of time when parties can assemble a majority of voters around a set of ideas. You have to take that moment and run as fast as you can, before the next election breaks your stride.
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Same in Spokane. With a supermajority on council and a willing mayor, we have to run as fast as possible on issues like safe streets, transit, and urban infill.
Reposted by Erik
Spokane Transit just bought Transit app’s premium tier subscription (Royale) for every resident.
Our small city’s transit agency is punching waaaaay above its weight
www.spokanetransit.com/press-releas...
Our small city’s transit agency is punching waaaaay above its weight
www.spokanetransit.com/press-releas...
STA Partners With Transit App to Bring Premium Trip-Planning Features to Local Riders - Spokane Transit Authority
Spokane Transit is announcing a new partnership with Transit App, one of the world’s most popular apps for navigating cities by bus, walking, or biking.
www.spokanetransit.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Spokane Transit just bought Transit app’s premium tier subscription (Royale) for every resident.
Our small city’s transit agency is punching waaaaay above its weight
www.spokanetransit.com/press-releas...
Our small city’s transit agency is punching waaaaay above its weight
www.spokanetransit.com/press-releas...
Reposted by Erik
We will be there on Monday to voice our support!
News: Mayor Lisa Brown's office (@mayorspokane.bsky.social) is proposing a new tax of 12% on gross receipts from commercial parking across Spokane, as a way to encourage new housing development.
Right now, more than 30% of downtown's land area is parking, and it maxes out at 56% occupancy.
Right now, more than 30% of downtown's land area is parking, and it maxes out at 56% occupancy.
October 31, 2025 at 5:54 PM
We will be there on Monday to voice our support!
Reposted by Erik
This is really really cool for a few reasons. It functions as a wealth tax in a way by imposing hire tax burdens on parking lot owners, which are mostly out-of-city millionaires. It will also incentivize more development up rather than out, which is great for housing
News: Mayor Lisa Brown's office (@mayorspokane.bsky.social) is proposing a new tax of 12% on gross receipts from commercial parking across Spokane, as a way to encourage new housing development.
Right now, more than 30% of downtown's land area is parking, and it maxes out at 56% occupancy.
Right now, more than 30% of downtown's land area is parking, and it maxes out at 56% occupancy.
October 31, 2025 at 5:59 PM
This is really really cool for a few reasons. It functions as a wealth tax in a way by imposing hire tax burdens on parking lot owners, which are mostly out-of-city millionaires. It will also incentivize more development up rather than out, which is great for housing
Reposted by Erik
This tax is essential to balancing Spokane's budget deficit while continuing the progress we're making on transportation and housing.
It is essential that community members show up and speak out in support of this transformative legislation.
It is essential that community members show up and speak out in support of this transformative legislation.
October 31, 2025 at 5:50 PM
This tax is essential to balancing Spokane's budget deficit while continuing the progress we're making on transportation and housing.
It is essential that community members show up and speak out in support of this transformative legislation.
It is essential that community members show up and speak out in support of this transformative legislation.
Reposted by Erik
Revenues from this new tax will be used to fund Spokane's people-first transportation infrastructure program, including projects like the redesign of Spokane Falls Boulevard.
The ordinance will be briefed on Monday at noon in City Council's Finance and Administration Committee meeting.
The ordinance will be briefed on Monday at noon in City Council's Finance and Administration Committee meeting.
October 31, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Revenues from this new tax will be used to fund Spokane's people-first transportation infrastructure program, including projects like the redesign of Spokane Falls Boulevard.
The ordinance will be briefed on Monday at noon in City Council's Finance and Administration Committee meeting.
The ordinance will be briefed on Monday at noon in City Council's Finance and Administration Committee meeting.
Reposted by Erik
This tax would work together with our Parking to People incentive, which eliminates the sales tax on construction of new housing on vacant parking lots across the city.
Spokane was the first and is still the only city in Washington to enact this stellar incentive tool.
Carrot + stick = ???
Spokane was the first and is still the only city in Washington to enact this stellar incentive tool.
Carrot + stick = ???
Parking 2 People Incentive
This incentive helps stimulate the redevelopment of vacant or underdeveloped property, through a 10-year limited sales-and-use-tax deferral program.
my.spokanecity.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:47 PM
This tax would work together with our Parking to People incentive, which eliminates the sales tax on construction of new housing on vacant parking lots across the city.
Spokane was the first and is still the only city in Washington to enact this stellar incentive tool.
Carrot + stick = ???
Spokane was the first and is still the only city in Washington to enact this stellar incentive tool.
Carrot + stick = ???
Reposted by Erik
News: Mayor Lisa Brown's office (@mayorspokane.bsky.social) is proposing a new tax of 12% on gross receipts from commercial parking across Spokane, as a way to encourage new housing development.
Right now, more than 30% of downtown's land area is parking, and it maxes out at 56% occupancy.
Right now, more than 30% of downtown's land area is parking, and it maxes out at 56% occupancy.
October 31, 2025 at 5:47 PM
News: Mayor Lisa Brown's office (@mayorspokane.bsky.social) is proposing a new tax of 12% on gross receipts from commercial parking across Spokane, as a way to encourage new housing development.
Right now, more than 30% of downtown's land area is parking, and it maxes out at 56% occupancy.
Right now, more than 30% of downtown's land area is parking, and it maxes out at 56% occupancy.
Reposted by Erik
Spokane!
October 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Spokane!
Spokane Transit could do *a lot* with just a bit more local investment.
October 29, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Spokane Transit could do *a lot* with just a bit more local investment.
Reposted by Erik
Sign the Petition
STA Board - Give voters the opportunity to increase local support for public transit!
c.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Erik
When was the last time you saw an apartment with windows on three sides?
That’s what small buildings can get you (among lots of other benefits!)
That’s what small buildings can get you (among lots of other benefits!)
We’re bringing them back—here is the first of hopefully many sixplexes we build in Spokane!
October 28, 2025 at 11:40 PM
When was the last time you saw an apartment with windows on three sides?
That’s what small buildings can get you (among lots of other benefits!)
That’s what small buildings can get you (among lots of other benefits!)
Reposted by Erik
We’re bringing them back—here is the first of hopefully many sixplexes we build in Spokane!
October 28, 2025 at 10:40 PM
We’re bringing them back—here is the first of hopefully many sixplexes we build in Spokane!
Reposted by Erik
It’s the best kind of day — FRESH KERMIT DAY!
This is meant to help Elm St Greenway (the first leg of 27x27!) users cross Boone, where Elm does a little jog.
This is meant to help Elm St Greenway (the first leg of 27x27!) users cross Boone, where Elm does a little jog.
October 28, 2025 at 8:38 PM
It’s the best kind of day — FRESH KERMIT DAY!
This is meant to help Elm St Greenway (the first leg of 27x27!) users cross Boone, where Elm does a little jog.
This is meant to help Elm St Greenway (the first leg of 27x27!) users cross Boone, where Elm does a little jog.
Spokane needs these!
I am envisioning mass pedestrianization across Seattle using ecoblocks with colorful custom sleeves.
October 28, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Spokane needs these!
Reposted by Erik
The most effective reform we could make for mass transit in California is banning local elected officials from Metropolitan Planning Organization and regional transit agency governing boards. Have those be separate elected positions that riders could run for!
October 27, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The most effective reform we could make for mass transit in California is banning local elected officials from Metropolitan Planning Organization and regional transit agency governing boards. Have those be separate elected positions that riders could run for!
Reposted by Erik
A few years ago I learned America has a thing called Trunk or Treat where people dress up, drive to a parking lot, and pretend it's ok we don't have walkable communities anymore.
October 23, 2025 at 10:48 PM
A few years ago I learned America has a thing called Trunk or Treat where people dress up, drive to a parking lot, and pretend it's ok we don't have walkable communities anymore.
Reposted by Erik
A network of shared streets can enable the efficient movement of people and goods in a dense urban environment.
October 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
A network of shared streets can enable the efficient movement of people and goods in a dense urban environment.
Reposted by Erik
This may seem small, but this is really rad. You love to see the transit CEO actually using transit to get to work.
The reserved CEO parking spot is no more. The stall is now reserved for the monthly employee recognition award winner, with an comparable alternative benefit for winners who don't drive.
October 21, 2025 at 7:08 PM
This may seem small, but this is really rad. You love to see the transit CEO actually using transit to get to work.
Reposted by Erik
The reserved CEO parking spot is no more. The stall is now reserved for the monthly employee recognition award winner, with an comparable alternative benefit for winners who don't drive.
October 21, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The reserved CEO parking spot is no more. The stall is now reserved for the monthly employee recognition award winner, with an comparable alternative benefit for winners who don't drive.