Going Out on a Wall
June 7, 2008 
11 Comments
Premise #1: There has been an enormous amount of thought dedicated to shaping Spokane as an outdoor sports and recreation hub. Proposals to extend the Centennial Trail and create a world-class kayaking park are just a few of the big plans for branding the Inland Northwest in this way. This vision is often articulated by Mr. Jon Snyder, Editor of Out There Monthly, and many others whom I whole heartedly support.
Premise #2: Spokane has an abundance of boring, windowless building surfaces. We should strive to eliminate them.
What can be done while waiting for the rest of the kayak park funds to materialize? What could be cast as a small but sexy victory for outdoor culture in Spokane THIS SUMMER?
How about transforming the blank white vertical surface of the Parkade Tower into an urban climbing wall.
Currently there is a beautiful little brick courtyard area sandwiched in between Rite Aid and the new Santorini’s Greek restaurant. This interstitial space often feels empty, with only a lonely breeze blowing through. Businesses in this cafe location have historically had a hard time making it, with the delicious Meritage Bistro closing its doors last fall.
If Wild Walls contracted with the Parkade to retrofit the tower column with internally reinforced climbing holds, people would be packing out the courtyard every afternoon. Wild Walls would quadruple their visibility, drawing more people into their summer class programs. The Parkade and surrounding businesses would greatly appreciate the boost, and Spokane could claim a quick victory for innovative progress in 2008.
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Or. . . .maybe we could do something like this on the wall.. .
http://graffitiresearchlab.com/?page_id=76
What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Urban climbing – really puts a whole new meaning to the term “concrete jungle”
I’d support it… and climb it.
you best protect your neck. personally, i’m about huge murals.
Love the idea!!!
Also, thanks for directing me to your website. Good info.
Looks like fun, we should try to get a grant to support it.
Who is going to insure this? Allstate?
Since the Parkade Plaza is privatelly owned it’s unlikely that is even a rational thought – I lworked downtown when the plaza was first opened and it was a lively place to be – music was regualrly played – the fountain was used – there were places to sit and enjoy our lovely weather – over time something gave way to the lonely place it had been for years –
The demise of our downtown businesses – placing spikes on the place people would sit and visit –
It would be much easier to convince the owners (the Hebert family) to just be willing to reopen it and remove the spikes from the area where people could sit and revitalize it a little bit – encourage people to use it by scheduling a bluegrass music ever afternoon – the skys the limit –
BTW my kids have enjoyed Wild Walls for years –
Steve Berde
Good words.
Good words.