The City of Spokane began developing its first application for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant funding in January 1995. A neighborhoood-based citizen program was instituted to involve citizens in determining the Cities's funding priorities. At the neighborhood and community meetings and later when planning was underway for the 1976 application, the single most often voiced need was for a multi-purpose community center. The Spokane City Planning Commission appointed a special Technical Committee on Community Centers and hired SPA/REDCO, Inc of Chicago (a firm experienced in assessing community center needs) to conduct a study. This study concluded that there was a need for community centers in Spokane - particularly in the East Central, West Central and Northeast neighborhoods. Based on these findings, the Spokane City Council authorized an analysis for development and construction of a community center in the East Central neighborhood. Through the Spring of, Summer and Fall 0f 1976, a citizen's committee worked to with Planning Commission Staff to develop the first Community Center. Based on the needs voiced origianlly by citizens, assessed by the committee and consultant mentioned above, the analysis reviewed sites, determined needed services, identified agencies to provide these services, and developed working schematics, cost analysis, and other materials. In 1977, the City Council authorized a contact with Tan/Brookie/Kundig for construction of the center. In Fall of 1979, Spokane's first multi-purpose community center (East Central) was opened.