Avista and City of Spokane Celebrate New Plaza and Park

SPOKANE, Wash., May 1, 2014 /3BL Media/ - Avista and the City of Spokane will host a public ceremony to dedicate the new City Hall Plaza and celebrate the renovation of Huntington Park on Friday, May 2. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the new plaza, which was gifted to the city by Avista, adjacent to City Hall at 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

The new City Hall Plaza is another example of Avista’s legacy of partnerships in the communities it serves. The city made the land available, and Avista built the plaza as a gift to Spokane from the shareholders of Avista Corp. in appreciation of the 125-year partnership between WWP/Avista and the people of Spokane.

The event will kick off with the public unveiling of a dedication stone in the City Hall Plaza and remarks from Avista Corp. Chairman, President and CEO Scott Morris, City of Spokane Mayor David Condon and Rudy Peone, Spokane Tribal Chairman. Following at 11:15 a.m., in Huntington Park just to the west, Avista Utilities President Dennis Vermillion will provide remarks on the renovation of the park. There will be live music, and guests will have a chance to talk with local river experts and artists who designed new park sculptures.

The event is open to the public and will also feature a food truck rally on Post Street that will serve food from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The plaza features a gathering space for events, tiered seating, fire and water features, and enhanced landscaping. The plaza is ADA accessible.

The renovation of Huntington Park, which provides stunning views of the lower falls, includes new walkways, grassy areas and structures that will give residents and visitors greater access to the Spokane River. The project also features interpretive signage and artifacts, including an old power turbine from Avista’s Nine Mile Falls hydroelectric project, artwork from local Native American artists, more park-like amenities and enhanced safety in the area.

Much of the Huntington Park project falls within the area covered under Avista’s license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate the Spokane River Hydroelectric Projects. Under the license and the Federal Power Act, Avista’s commitments include providing public access near the river and recreational facilities appropriate to the setting.

For more information, visit www.avistalegacy.com and click “In the Community.”

About Avista
Avista Corp. is an energy company involved in the production, transmission and distribution of energy as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is our operating division that provides electric service to 366,000 customers and natural gas to 326,000 customers. Our service territory covers 30,000 square miles in eastern Washington, northern Idaho and parts of southern and eastern Oregon, with a population of 1.5 million.  Avista's primary, non-utility subsidiary is Ecova, an energy and sustainability management company with over 700 expense management customers, representing more than 700,000 sites. Our stock is traded under the ticker symbol "AVA."  For The Avista logo is a trademark of Avista Corporation.