Closing the gap
<p>A cyclist rides along the Centennial Trail near the intersection of Mullan Avenue and 8th Street in Coeur d’Alene. The city has approved a proposal to add designated bike lanes along 8th Street, closing the only gap of the 23-mile recreational trail.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - The city of Coeur d'Alene will install bike lanes on both sides of Eighth Street near City Hall.
On Tuesday, the Coeur d'Alene City Council voted unanimously in favor of creating the lanes, which will span from Young Street to Mullan Road. Trails Coordinator Monte McCully told the council that the lanes will address concerns from residents about the safety of cyclists, as well as connect the Centennial Trail.
"Building these bike lanes will close a gap in the Centennial Trail that was created when the trail was moved," McCully said. "It is currently the only gap in the entire 23-mile trail and we have received a lot of complaints from trail users that are having trouble finding their way to the next part of the trail."
Two homes will be affected by the creation of the lanes, and McCully said he contacted both homeowners about the issue. One was in favor of the lanes, the other had issues with losing parking.
"Both homes are on corner lots with single-car driveways and on-street parking on adjacent side streets," McCully said. "Additional overflow parking is available across the street in the new free parking lot."
McCully added that if the city decides to start charging residents to park in the lot, the homeowners at the two addresses should be exempted from that cost.
The $1,452 price tag for the project will be paid using the Parks Capital Improvement fund, with subsequent maintenance and restriping to come from the Street Department's budget. McCully said the funds will pay for paint, bike lane signs with posts and labor.
In Other Council News:
* The city council voted unanimously to approve a Coeur d'Alene Police Department plan to use cost savings from low fuel prices to purchase an additional patrol vehicle. In a previous story, Capt. Steve Childers told the General Services Committee that the department will purchase a 2015 Ford Explorer SUV from Lake City Ford for $33,351.
* A new ordinance regulating door-to-door solicitation in the city of Coeur d'Alene passed unanimously. City officials who prepared the ordinance said it requires potential solicitors to register with the city and pass a background check, which provides "an added level of protection" for residents.
* The council voted unanimously in favor of relaxing city policy on who can enter beer and wine gardens during events. Municipal Services Director Renata McLeod told The Press that the city will not require event sponsors to allow persons under 21 into beer and wine gardens, but allows city officials to approve or deny a request made by sponsors.