Here's a nugget I ran across in a 1905 newspaper: An article speculating about which way downtown Spokane would grow -- east or west?

This was at a time when the center of Spokane was considered to be at about Howard and Riverside. The reporter asked five local real estate men (and yes, they were all men) to weigh in on the subject. There was no consensus.

"There is only one way for the city to go and that is to the east," said F.J. Walker. "In three years, Washington Street at Riverside Avenue will be the most widely crossed business street in town, and property there will be just as valuable as on the Howard and Riverside crossing."

"The town will grow west, of course," said F. Flint. "Where else should it grow? Take all of the public buildings, the city hall and the best business blocks -- they are in the western part of the city. With one or two exceptions, there are no good store buildings east of Washington Street. ... The best residence district is in the western part of the city and the business district of any city joins the best residence district, not the poorer ones."

The real estate man who proved to be the best prognosticator was C.F. Clough, who said downtown "will naturally expand in all directions from its present location."

In fact, downtown went on to grow both west and east, as well as north and south. However, the downtown core has remained essentially stable. The center of downtown can still be considered roughly at Howard and Riverside, the site of the Bank of America Financial Center (aka the tallest building in Spokane).

The more important question of today is not which direction downtown will grow, but which direction the metro area will spread.

Anybody have any predictions? And don't just say, "In all directions."

Looks to me like the primary growth is infill between CDA and Spokane. Next in order of magnitude is north toward Colbert and Deer Park. The south side around Regal and 57th sure has grown a lot in the past 15 years as well.