Innovate Washington loses state funding

Formerly known as SIRTI, the state funded economic development agency whose mission changed every few years – Innovate Washington loses state funding – Spokesman.com – July 11, 2013.

Bet if the heated pedestrian/bike bridge was built, those often empty SIRTI buildings would have been teeming with industry!

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Update:

And it probably should be shut down.

SIRTI and its successor, Innovate Washington, did not deliver close to the hype of their own PR. SIRTI started out as the Joint Center for Higher Education, then became SIRTI with a constantly evolving mission, and then became Innovate Washington.

U-District Heated Pedestrian Bicycle Bridge is officially intended as an art project

The bridge should be seen by the public not merely as a corridor to be used to get between multiple points, but as a unique and exhilarating experience in itself.
….
This symbolic role is significant enough to suggest a scale and form that is amplified beyond the basic functional and structural requirements.

via University District Pedestrian Bicycle Bridge Study: Community Objectives / Advisory Committee.

The $8 million pedestrian/bike bridge turned into a $16 million outdoor heated iconic, exhilarating, grand, (not) globally unique art symbol costing more than most auto bridges to serve the (not) fast growing student community that will create $350 million in economic activity: “But this will not happen without a bridge”!

Absolute lunacy to believe this depends on a heated pedestrian/bike bridge. Spokane has lost its marbles, for sure. Where’s the valet bike parking service? Is their free coffee for bridge users too? Free massages on Friday? Nothing but the best! Let’s make this bridge really stand out!

The promoters have shot their credibility in the head as they descend into silly and farcical claims.

I support a ped/bike bridge. I do not support loony misrepresentation.

Spokane’s biomedical economy will collapse without the heated ped/bike bridge

The Spokesman-Review has an unsigned “Opinion” with the astonishing claim that Spokane’s bio-medical future will collapse without the heated ped/bike bridge being built:

That will not happen without a bridge.

U-district bridge vital to promote area growth – Spokesman.com – July 16, 2013.

OMG. Spokane has descended into lunacy. Or may be it was already there, more likely.

Therefore, we should be building more heated pedestrian/bicycle bridges throughout the County to spur dramatic economic growth!

Previous Data About the Bridge and District

• The Pedestrian/Bike “Cable-stayed arch bridge” is not that unique
• University District Student Population Trend is Flat to Downward over Past Five Years
• University District Pedestrian Bicycle Bridge (costs on par or more than auto bridges)
• Forecast Economic Impacts of the Spokane Medical School