Post Falls mulls future downtown
POST FALLS - A $2.2 million urban renewal plan to revitalize Spokane Street and help create a downtown in Post Falls has gained widespread support, but some believe the lack of on-street parking will discourage folks from visiting the corridor.
The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency will host an open house on the plan on Tuesday at the chamber of commerce building next to City Hall from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Local officials and activists say, if you're interested in the city's future downtown, attendance at the open house is crucial because engineering is about to start on the project.
The improvements along Spokane from Fourth Avenue to the Spokane River bridge include:
- a median with landscaped raised sections and landscaping on the east side of Spokane;
- a pedestrian/bike trail and landscaping on the west side of Spokane;
- improvements to the Centennial Trail crossing; and
- signalization at Fourth and Spokane.
Improvements are expected to begin this year. It hasn't been determined whether the project will be done in phases or all at once.
Post Falls resident and former URA chairman Len Crosby said he believes the lack of on-street parking in the preferred plan is a mistake.
"It will create a Post Falls version of Northwest Boulevard (in Coeur d'Alene), funneling traffic across the river and to the interstate rather than enhancing the development of a downtown," Crosby said. "The absence of any on-street parking and the width of the proposed improved Spokane Street will do little to encourage retail and restaurant development in this area.
"We seem to be focusing on simply moving traffic through that area."
Bill Melvin, city engineer, said including on-street parking was discussed by the technical advisory committee during the conceptual design process and desired by several members of the group.
However, parking was not included in the preferred plan after discussions on how it would affect future increased traffic on Spokane Street.
"In reviewing long-range planning that includes buildout of the Post Falls Landing (on the west side of Spokane), future redevelopment of the Idaho Veneer property and the surrounding city center, the group chose (not to include parking)," Melvin said. "It is important that we maintain the capacity of our infrastructure so that the district can realize the full economic development potential in the future."
Melvin said the raised medians will help calm future traffic and make the Centennial Trail crossing safer. He said the door is still open to tweaking the plan, however, with regard to parking.
"I am sure there will be more discussions on this issue with one item for consideration being the creation of parking on the roadway in a manner that could be removed as the city center area matures and traffic increases," he said.
URA executive director Tom Lien said alternative plan options with street parking will be shown at the open house.
"If comment adequately supports (parking), the engineering concept plan will be reviewed for change," Lien said.
Crosby and most property owners in the corridor support improving Spokane Street to help create a downtown. The URA sent a survey about the project to businesses in the corridor and their customers for additional input, but results won't be available until Tuesday or Wednesday, Lien said.
Property owner Bob Templin said a signal at Fourth and Spokane is desperately needed because it can be difficult to enter Spokane Street at the intersection - and it's only going to get worse.
Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Company recently took over the multi-use Post Falls Landing site from developer Harry Green and plans to sell the property to another developer this year.
Allan Scharton of Liberty said his firm supports the plan.
"The city is showing foresight in moving ahead with the Spokane Street project now - even before a new developer is found," he said.
Scharton said the separation of pedestrians from vehicles and the calming of traffic will make the corridor more inviting to visitors.
The city council, on a 4-1 vote last month, approved the conceptual plan. Joe Malloy opposed the plan, saying the project is mostly for the aesthetic value and that the Landing's future is unsettled until it's purchased by a developer.
Urban renewal earlier approved the project's engineering contract for $138,100.
Downtown open house
The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency will host an open house on the $2.2 million Spokane Street corridor improvement project aimed at creating a new downtown on Tuesday at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The conceptual plans will be available for viewing and staff will be on hand to answer questions and take input.