HIGH-RISE: Reasons to just say no

We would like to voice our opposition to the proposed 14-story high-rise on First Avenue and Lakeside and to bring up some questions regarding this project. We feel this project would detract from the quaintness of downtown Coeur d’Alene and start a possible building surge that would increase the likelihood that our downtown area would begin to look more like Spokane or Seattle. Do we really want that? Has the city government done a traffic study for this area?

Many of the events held downtown connect at Sherman/Northwest Boulevard and Lakeside. There is currently very limited parking in this area and that situation will be worse if a very large building with retail establishments is built in this particular spot. Access to the planned building is limited from Sherman, Northwest Boulevard, Lakeside and First Avenue. Would a four-way stop be needed on Lakeside and First to help the traffic flow?

The building currently on the site has housing for lower income folks so where would they be able to move for the same rent they are paying now?

Downtown Coeur d’Alene has a charm all its own. Do we want this replaced by multiple high-rise buildings? Many people in Coeur d’Alene have already lost their view of the lake. Do we need to add to the list in name of progress?

As residents of Lake Tower we live on the east end of the building and our view would be minimally affected. However, our view of Mica Peak, the City Park, Independence Point and the beautiful sunsets we see so often would be greatly affected. Our main concerns, though, are for our neighbors in the building who live on the west end and those at Coeur d’Alene North who will lose a tremendous amount of their view.

We encourage ALL citizens of Coeur d’Alene to speak out against this project. Talk with your neighbors and to those in our city government to let them know that we are very concerned about increased traffic in downtown and the loss of our friendly downtown feeling.

JERRY and VICKI NEELY

Coeur d’Alene