Safety is so important for a local market goers. We have continued ongoing support of the pedestrian safety improvements at the Hastings and Bellwood intersection. By advocating for and helping advance the community-led crosswalk initiative with Avista, we have supported a project that will improve safe access for market visitors, neighborhood residents, and students attending nearby schools. This reflects our belief that investing in community infrastructure is just as important as supporting local commerce.A Safer Crossing, A Stronger Community: Improving Pedestrian Safety at Hastings & Bellwood
For years, the Fairwood Farmers’ Market Board has advocated for improved pedestrian safety at the Hastings Road and Bellwood Drive crossing. We recognized how important this intersection was to our community—not only for visitors walking to the Farmers Market and neighboring businesses, but also for residents of Fairwood Retirement Village and students attending Mead High School.
Residents and staff at Fairwood Retirement Village shared concerns about safely crossing Hastings Road, where traffic moves at 35 MPH, to access the market, local businesses, and their surrounding neighborhood. At the same time, many Mead High School sophomores park along Bellwood Drive due to limited on-campus parking, requiring students to cross Hastings Road each school day. These ongoing concerns highlighted the need for additional pedestrian safety measures.
Years ago, the Farmers Market contributed funding toward a pedestrian beacon with the hope that it would be installed at the Bellwood Crossing. While the first beacon was ultimately placed at another nearby location, our Board continued advocating for improvements where they were still needed. We believe safe, accessible streets are essential to a thriving community, and that supporting local commerce goes hand in hand with investing in the infrastructure that allows people to safely access it.
Today, we are excited to celebrate the completion of significant improvements at the Hastings and Bellwood intersection!
This community-led effort came together through the dedication and collaboration of several local partners:
Fairwood Retirement Village provided an easement and coordinated improvements to make new pedestrian lighting possible.
Avista Utilities donated installation services for upgraded overhead lighting, helping better illuminate pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Spokane County installed a Rapid Flashing Beacon (RFB) and extended the school zone to include the Bellwood Crossing.
Mead School District supported the project, recognizing the importance of improving safety for students traveling to and from school.
We are especially grateful to our Board President, Rob Allen, whose continued advocacy and personal contribution helped move this project forward. His commitment, along with the efforts of everyone involved, helped turn years of community concern into meaningful improvements.
The Fairwood Farmers’ Market is about more than bringing farmers, makers, and neighbors together each week. We believe a successful local market is part of a stronger, more connected community. That means advocating for safe crossings, accessible neighborhood spaces, and improvements that benefit everyone who lives, works, shops, and visits here.
We are proud to have played a part in advancing this initiative and grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.
This is what community looks like.