SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane City Council will vote on an ordinance that would require developers to salvage materials from demolished historic buildings when erecting new structures.
The ordinance stipulates that in the event of the demolition of any building that is on the Spokane Register of Historic Places or is eligible for the register, a developer must save and reuse those materials.
“The City finds that the adoption of a policy requiring the deconstruction of certain structures can maximize the reuse of valuable building materials and reduce emissions associated with the demolition and disposal of building materials,” the ordinance language states.
If the ordinance sponsored by City Council Members Paul Dillon and Kitty Klitzke passes, the Historic Preservation office will oversee site visits of proposed building demolitions if structures are already deemed historic or are over 50 years old and eligible for the register.
After an inspection of the building, the office would then oversee the deconstruction and preservation of sections of the structure that could be reused.
There are currently around 180 properties on the historic register in Spokane, which is different from the national register and also
