KXLY May 5, 2021 5:44 PM Matthew Kincanon SPOKANE, Wash. — After months of public meetings, outreach and debate, the Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors voted to move forward with the proposed downtown stadium on Wednesday night. The proposal was not without its controversies — from traffic and noise concerns to access and parking, and even the impact on the nearby Civic Theatre. The school board previously negotiated with the Downtown Spokane Partnership to address those issues. The plan received support from local elected leaders, state and federal lawmakers and athletic directors from each of the Spokane high schools. Funding for replacing Joe Albi Stadium was approved by voters in 2018. At the time, the city and school board asked for an advisory vote on where to build the stadium: downtown or the current Joe Albi site in northwest Spokane. Voters chose the Albi site, but the vote was not binding.