Discover The Story

FROM BREADBASKET to BREAKING POINT: Uncovering the Story of Our Community

168 South Division, Pine Creek Dairy Creamery

Where Urbanna Natural Spa.Salon & Wine began.

A forgotten story: The Pine Creek Dairy Creamery was built in 1908. It was an extension of the Pine Creek Dairy operated in the Spokane Valley. The building was used for office space, a distribution center, and the manufacture of cream, butter, and cheese.

At South 168 was historically registered as the Pine Creek Dairy on Division Street, quickly became the region’s largest dairy producer. The dairy had 120 cows, and milk was bought from other area diaries. In 1929, the Carnation Dairy Company from Kent, Washington, bought out the Pine Creek Dairy and the Broadview Dairy, another local dairy company, and merged the two under the latter’s name. They moved operations into the Broadview Creamery building, and the Pine Creek Dairy Creamery was vacant between 1931 and 1935 during the worst of the Great Depression. written by Jesse Roberts

URBANNA 2009-2016

Urbanna has been a sanctuary of beauty, wellness, and renewal—but the 168 S. Division neighborhood that once nourished Spokane has been overshadowed by danger and instability. The owners of Urbanna poured their hearts into creating a place of peace, healing, and community wellness over the years. But instead of thriving, our area turned to relentless crime, neglect, and erosion of our safety. The owners have been worn down, dismissed, and shunned for speaking the truth about the changes in the neighborhood. Yet, despite it all, the owners refused to give up. However, Linda was silenced by the Housing Executive Director, Rob McCann, and Spokane’s President of City Council, Ben Stuckart. Urbanna needed to park at the 168 parking lot. It was a dangerous one-block walk. Refer to staff testimonials under “Crimes in the Shadows”.

CAT: Addiction Recovery & Drug Rehabilitation Clinic 2021-2024

“The CAT: Addiction Recovery and Rehabilitation Clinic was purchased by a philanthropist for CAT, its location at 168 Division Street—which is a major I-90 corridor—proved disastrous. With 40,000 to 50,000 cars speeding by daily, unsuspecting drivers often encounter addicts wandering between shelters, 7-Eleven, and treatment centers. Out-of-towners have narrowly avoided or even struck pedestrians, a tragic consequence of the city’s poor planning. It remains whether this was a rehabilitation, or a hotspot for opioid addiction, sacrificing Spokane’s history in the process. Unlike UGM, there are no conditions for rehab, no security, and no curfew. As Mayor Lisa Brown stated, ‘It is no surprise that our community is dealing with the horrific impacts of fentanyl and other opioids.’ Today, the 168 location sits vacant.

INLAND EMPIRE BISCUITS 1905

Urbanna relocated to the once known “Breadbasket of the Northwest.” Part of Spokane’s rich history deserves recognition for its vital role in sustaining not just the city but the entire region. In 1905, the heart of this legacy was the Biscuit Bakery, a cornerstone of Spokane’s bustling downtown. Perfectly positioned at the intersection of 00 Sprague and 00 Division Street, it was more than just a bakery—it was a symbol of industry, community, and the city’s thriving past.

But today, this once-flourishing area has become unrecognizable. This once thriving gateway to the city, Division Street has suffered from poor urban planning, transforming it into a hazardous corridor where rising sidewalk crises deter visitors and disrupt local businesses. The very streets that once supported Spokane’s prosperity now serve as a battleground for addiction, crime, human feces, litter, and vandalism, with the city’s historical significance fading into neglect.

URBANNA NATURAL SPA.SALON & WINE 104 South Division 2016- Today

Step inside Urbanna Natural Spa, Salon & Wine, and you’ll find yourself in a world far removed from the bustle of the city outside. Within these old brick walls, an unexpected oasis awaits—one designed for pure relaxation and indulgence.

Urbanna was always meant to be Spokane’s premier destination for pampering and self-care. Featuring five tranquil, zen-like treatment rooms—each named after a different continent—along with a charmingly rustic salon infused with natural elements, Urbanna offers a retreat unlike any other. Guests can enjoy spacious women’s and men’s locker rooms, a private party room for up to ten, and a serene natural nail area.

Urbanna now finds itself surrounded by six housing facilities and a shelter facility full of ex-convicts. Altogether, these facilities house 452 individuals within a six-block radius, many with extensive criminal records, some with violent crimes. Refer to the Crime Generators page.

The Spokane That Could Have Been

Once a thriving part of Spokane’s heartbeat, this area was filled with promise—an ideal location for businesses to flourish, drawing in visitors and locals alike. With its rich history and central location, it had the potential to become a vibrant hub for commerce, community, and culture.

But that vision was never realized. When the Havens were built, the landscape of the neighborhood changed dramatically. Instead of fostering growth, safety, and prosperity, the area became burdened by rising crime, neglect, and instability. Customers stopped coming, businesses struggled, and one by one, they closed their doors or left in search of safer, more viable locations.

What could have been a thriving district—where businesses thrived, jobs flourished, and the community felt secure—was instead overshadowed by the consequences of poor planning and lack of accountability.

This is not just the story of a few businesses lost; it’s a story of what Spokane could have had. A place where entrepreneurs, employees, and customers felt safe. A place where history and progress coexisted. A place that lived up to its potential instead of becoming a cautionary tale.

The question remains: can we reclaim what was lost and build the future this area was meant to have?

Crime, Chaos, and Consequences: When a City Looks the Other Way

Since 2013, Urbanna, its staff, and its clients have endured the consequences of a changing cityscape—one that grew increasingly unsafe as the low-barrier housing and shelters grew. What was once a thriving business district became a hotbed for crime, disorder, and neglect.

Day and night, people wandered through our parking lot, gangs blocked cars from backing in or pulling out, and public defecation between vehicles became disturbingly common. Clients were harassed for money, while graffiti, vandalism, and theft plagued the property. Large windows were broken twice, outdoor fixtures were stolen, Urbanna was robbed at gunpoint, and the sense of security that once defined this neighborhood was replaced with fear and frustration.

For over a decade, Linda Biel has warned city officials about the devastating impact these permanent housing structures have had—not just on the University neighborhood but the entire downtown. Spokane community and beyond. Yet, the crisis deepened year after year, and the city’s response remained inadequate.