A summer of discontent

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial launching point for summer. There's a very good chance this summer will be one of the most memorable in Coeur d'Alene's history - and not in a good way.

McEuen Park, that 15-acre municipal magnet of both adoration and condemnation, is the focal point of construction that has closed a hunk of Front Avenue and with it, the Third Street boat launch will be closed for the entire season starting this Saturday. While the city has taken great strides to find free parking for 300 or so vehicles, two painful phenomena await.

One is that there is going to be great consternation for locals and visitors alike to access their favorite downtown Coeur d'Alene places this summer. The city will soon have ample signage up to point out where people can park, but at best visitors are going to be inconvenienced. Even if the city establishes a free shuttle service to and from one parking point at Riverstone, as it hopes to do, impatience is likely to make that option unpopular. Navigating commercial corridors downtown, always something of a feat during a normal summer, could become all but impossible during peak times.

Downtowners already have seen the manifestation of parking problems, but the other phenomenon threatens to eclipse challenges with finding a place to park your car. When the out-of-town boaters arrive with rigs packed to the hilt and vessels firmly in tow, how many will be unaware of the Third Street launch closure until it's too late? Even signage on I-90 is likely to be missed, so it's not hard to imagine lines of fuming motorists backed up along Northwest Boulevard or Sherman Avenue headed west, unable to turn around and seek out another launch.

Road construction projects always have a significant impact on nearby businesses, so with downtown Coeur d'Alene tied up in traffic knots this summer, retailers will be on red alert. Because downtown Coeur d'Alene is a commercial, recreational and entertainment center for the whole region, we encourage citizens to plan a little extra time and know their patience may be tested when they head to the city's center.

All bets are off when it comes to Car d'Lane and the 4th of July celebration. For those visits, we recommend hiking boots and plenty of water.