SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane adopted a new ordinance last November aimed at preserving reusable materials from historic buildings and structures over 50 years old that are set for demolition.
The ordinance requires that a list of materials that can be saved, along with their destinations, be submitted for approval. The Historic Preservation Office must approve the pre-deconstruction application and visit the site before work begins. This initiative is part of a broader effort to maximize the preservation and reuse of materials from historic buildings.
Council Members Paul Dillon and Kitty Klitzke co-sponsored the ordinance. It was enacted following the demolition of Mary’s Place, a historic location near Providence Sacred Heart that had been standing since 1906. The ordinance is titled ‘Mary’s Place Preservation Law’ in honor of this event.
I visited a deconstruction site in Spokane where crews are meticulously taking apart an older structure, piece by piece. The aim is to save windows, fixtures and siding rather than sending them to a landfill. The general contractor is responsible for collecting these materials.
Ryan Kiley, Executive Vice President of Excelsior Wellness, explained the future of these materials.
“They’ll be put to use with local non-profits… and we’ll repurpose some of them here on campus and maybe at our garage down on Northwest Boulevard,” he said.
Logan Camporeale, a Historic Preservation Specialist for the City of Spokane, highlighted the benefits of the new policy.
“It was an environmentally responsible thing to do, and contributes to our circular economy,” Camporeal stated.
City leaders have emphasized that the ordinance will not affect every demolition, only those involving structures that are historically significant or more than 50 years old.
