Spokane officials and merchants lay out tactics for keeping businesses open during downtown construction

Gina Campbell, proprietor of 1889 vintage and antiques, told downtown merchants that collaboration and clear customer communication were essential to surviving weeks of street closures. “The reason why we came through it very successfully is collaboration,” she said, offering examples like shared promotions, wayfinding and games that encouraged people to visit despite construction.

City staff and presenters urged businesses to start messaging before work begins, post detour maps and coordinate with contractor public liaisons and weekly project meetings to record special needs. “If you’ve got deliveries or something that you need to have, make sure that we write that down with the field engineers today,” the session moderator said, explaining that one-on-one meetings are used to work out driveway or accessibility concerns.

Speakers recommended tactical responses businesses can adopt during construction: staggered or shared advertising buys, sidewalk sales, targeted promotions (for example, ‘construction discounts’ or themed events), curbside pickup and temporarily altered hours. Campbell suggested simple gestures—handwritten thank-you notes and face-to-face introductions with crews—to build goodwill. “If you do that… getting to know them makes a big difference,” she said.

The session included practical accommodations for customers with mobility or medical needs: staff said such requirements are handled in weekly on-site meetings, where contractors, field engineers and business representatives agree on timing or alternate access. Businesses were told they would receive at least two days' notice before driveway work and that contractors are contractually required to keep at least one access point open where possible.

Organizers also highlighted free resources for merchants. Mark Pond of Startup Spokane described no-cost business research tools and 1-on-1 consultations available through the library platform to help merchants adapt marketing, diversify offerings and plan for temporary closures.

The meeting closed with staff offering continued one-on-one follow-up through the project liaisons and field engineers; attendees were encouraged to list special needs at weekly meetings and to coordinate marketing and events to maintain customer traffic during work.