Mayor Lisa Brown visited Bellwether Brewing in the Hilliard neighborhood of Spokane to spotlight a small-business grant that paid for new exterior lighting and to discuss downtown revitalization.

The mayor, joined by Councilmember Jonathan Bingle and the business owner identified in the transcript as Dave, toured the brewery and the multi-tenant, historic building and emphasized the project’s dual goals: to showcase the century-old architecture and to improve public safety through better street lighting. "This is a beautiful historic building that we love," Dave said, adding that "if you come during the night ... it lights it up like a castle."

The visit framed the lighting as part of a broader neighborhood renewal effort. Councilmember Jonathan Bingle noted that Hilliard was once its own town before annexation into the city and said the lights help implement CPTED-style measures that "make it a little bit safer for folks who are here." Mayor Brown said funding is in place to complete the North South Corridor in a few years and that, together with the Children of the Sun Trail behind the building, the corridor should slow traffic and further support local businesses.

The business owner described the location as a collaborative, multi-business venture: five different businesses occupy the building, including a coffee shop and a game shop, and several operators joined to open in the larger historic space. The mayor and councilmember emphasized the city's interest in investing in small, local businesses so they have "the best chance to survive."

The transcript does not specify the grant’s dollar amount or the precise funding source; officials and the business referenced only "a grant" that paid for the lighting and said corridor funding is "in place" without naming funders or schedules. No formal council action or vote was recorded in the transcript. The visit concluded with an invitation to residents to visit the block when the lights are illuminated and see how the project highlights the neighborhood’s character.