McEUEN: What to do, where

Keep the boat launch. Lose the parking lot to the remodel plan. City condemnation of the properties north-side of Front Street from Third Street to Fifth Street (possibly to Sixth Street) and develop all this area to parking. Boat trailer parking only at the Third Street corner across from launch entrance to minimize traffic, and general public parking in the rest of the area. Develop the gravel lot adjacent to City Hall for parking. Paver-like walkways throughout the new parking lots with a bit of greenery could be tasteful.

The cost of replacing the launch and building an underground parking structure would be substantial compared to paying fair market value for the condemned properties at current values.

Who owns these properties? Is there a conflict of interest with the owners and their connection to city government? And lastly... has anyone ever been in a parking structure that doesn't have the strong smell of urine after a couple of years?

PAUL VILLAIRE

Coeur d'Alene