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5th Ave Forward is a community-led revitalization initiative focused on East 5th Avenue in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood. The project aims to address decades of disinvestment, displacement, and inequity by centering current residents, organizations, and local community members in planning, development, and decision-making. It builds on the 5th Avenue Community Strategy adopted by the City of Spokane in 2021.
What is 5th Ave Forward?
The initiative is grounded in six strategic priorities:
What are the goals of the project?
Neighborhood identity & cultural preservation
Coordination among community service providers
Safe and accessible streetscapes
Affordable housing and anti-displacement efforts
Support for BIPOC-owned businesses
Protection and enhancement of parks and trails
Why is this project important to Spokane’s Black community?
East 5th Avenue is home to the highest concentration of Black-led organizations and Black-owned businesses in Eastern Washington. It is also the location of the Carl Maxey Center, a Black-led nonprofit founded by the late, Sandy Williams. This area has long served as a cultural hub for Black Spokane residents and remains a key site for racial equity and community healing.
Where is the project located?
The project focuses on East 5th Avenue, spanning from Liberty Park to Frances Scott Elementary School in the East Central neighborhood. This corridor has historically been the cultural and economic heart of Spokane’s Black community and remains one of the city’s most diverse areas.
Project FAQs
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Project FAQs •
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The initiative was originally started as:
Carl Maxey Center Housing & Economic Opportunities (CMC HEO) Steering Committee
The initiative is co-led by:
Takeall
Take Up The Cause
FutureWise
Community partners include:
STA
Avista
Department of Commerce
Department of Equity
Numerica
Other entities and individuals at large
Spokane District 81
Senator Marcus Riccelli
Former Senate Majority Leader, Andy Billig
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Sandy Williams, founder of The Black Lens and the Carl Maxey Center, tragically passed away in a floatplane crash on September 4, 2022. Her loss was deeply felt across Washington State. Sandy was a central force behind 5th Ave Forward and played a lead role in passing SB 5853, RCW 47.12.120, which allows surplus WSDOT land to be used for affordable housing and community redevelopment. Her legacy continues to guide this work.
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SB 5853, passed in 2022 as RCW 47.12.120, enables surplus WSDOT land to be repurposed for community benefit, such as housing and services. This bill is a direct response to the historical displacement caused by the construction of I-90 through East Central in the 1950s, which devastated homes, businesses, and Liberty Park.
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Development of community land trusts for permanent affordability
Mixed-income and multi-generational housing models
Financial literacy and homeownership assistance workshops
Advocacy to shape zoning policy and prevent exclusionary development
Ongoing community engagement to ensure accountability.
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2016–2020: Visioning and early planning
2021: Adoption of the 5th Ave Strategy by the City
2022: Formation of BIPOC Housing Subcommittee; SB 5853 passed
2023/24: Strategic planning and mapping; community engagement sessions
Smart Growth America grant awarded; project maps and outreach finalized
2025+: Start of infrastructure, housing development, and cultural investments
You can:
Attend community meetings and BBQs
Sign up for project updates
Volunteer at events or offer input through surveys
Partner as a business, nonprofit, or funder
How can I get involved?
Partner Organizations
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Carl Maxey Center
A neighborhood cultural center and gathering place, as well as a community-based organization that provides programs and services focused on addressing the needs of Spokane's African American/ Black community.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center
A regionally recognized community social service center providing comprehensive education, social services and cultural enrichment programs for children and families.
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SERA Youth Tutoring and Recreation Center
A collaborative effort that strives to restore and promote a revitalized sense of community in our city’s neighborhoods, offering tutoring and recreational activities for youth.
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Liberty Park Library
Provides a wide range of resources, including story time, exercise classes, and workshops.
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East Central Community Center:
Offers educational programs, meals, recreational sports, and a food bank.
