Multiple plans and studies over the past 20 years have recommended or identified transit investments to improve mobility, accessibility, and support land use decisions within the central city area. As transit ridership has increased and money has been reinvested into the central city, there is a strengthened interest and need to move forward with actual capital and operational transit investments. That has resulted in the current plan.

The plans and studies that are most relevant to the current Central City Transit Alternative Analysis are listed below.

Spokane Regional Pedestrian Plan – 2009
The goal of this coordinated effort was to create a pedestrian system to increase walking for transportation and to improve the health of our community.

University District/Downtown Spokane Traffic Improvement Plan (Draft) – 2008
The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive assessment of the transportation needs in the University District/Downtown Spokane study area – a realistic and tangible plan for the future that guides investment, supports development visions and addresses operational needs for the City.

Fast Forward Spokane: Downtown Plan Update – 2008
This plan was devised to promote the livelihood of Downtown for future generations through a strategic, coordinated community effort, by providing a short and long-term structure for addressing issues and challenges facing the Downtown.

Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center Plan – 2008
This program was created by an act of legislature and allowed cities and counties to establish growth and transportation Efficiency centers. The City of Spokane designated their downtown neighborhood as a Growth and Transportation Efficiency Center. The plan looks at City-adopted goals and policies, facility and service improvements, and marketing strategies to reduce drive-alone trips and vehicle miles traveled over the next six years.

Spokane Metropolitan Area Metropolitan Transportation Plan – 2008

Spokane County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan – 2007
The Spokane Regional Transportation Council was formed to oversee planning and federal funding for transportation projects in Spokane County. The plan aims to create a unified, comprehensive strategy for public transportation service delivery that identifies the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with limited income, laying out strategies for meeting these needs, and prioritizing services.

City of Spokane Comprehensive Plan – 2007
The Comprehensive Plan provides the overall scheme of city development – the major land uses, transportation systems, parks, recreation, and open spaces, and centers of shopping and employment. This plan establishes the framework for all other planning activities and documents. By law, decision-makers and managers in city government must follow the direction of the Comprehensive Plan.

Spokane Streetcar Feasibility Study – 2006
This study examined the benefits of a Streetcar, other streetcar systems, and location of potential destinations.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement-South Valley Corridor Project – 2005
The South Valley Corridor Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement provides five alternatives for consideration. These include the No-Build Alternative, Separate Track Light Rail Transit (LRT) Alternative, Shared Track LRT Alternative, Bus Rapid Transit Alternative, and the Minimum Operate Segment Alternative.

The University District Strategic Masterplan – 2004
The University District strategic masterplan addresses economic development issues, urban growth, environmental restoration, transportation and affordable housing needs.

Southside Transportation Study – 2004
The Southside Transportation Study was conducted to help citizens of Spokane County and area agencies better understand, discover, define, and address current and future transportation issues affecting the Southside.

The Monroe/Lincoln Corridor: Transportation Investments with Community Involvement – 2001
Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) was requested by the City of Spokane in December 1999 to revisit the purpose and need for continuing the Monroe-Lincoln Couplet project that was identified in the 1987 Federal Environmental Impact Statement. At the request of the citizens, SRTC examined the potential for enhancement projects within the corridor. SRTC performed traffic volume analysis, travel time analysis, level of service analysis and air quality analysis.

High Capacity Transportation Options: South Valley Corridor High Capacity Investment Study -- 1998
The report describes a number of HCT options and analyzes them in detail without selecting a preferred alternative.