Mullan rework slated for spring

COEUR d'ALENE — Coeur d'Alene's urban renewal agency approved as much as $1.6 million for the planned Mullan Avenue realignment construction project.

"It's just going to be a whole improvement in that area," said Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer, who is also a board member for urban renewal agency ignite cda.

Traffic on Mullan between Northwest Boulevard and Park Drive has dwindled since the eduction corridor work was completed. City officials also have sought to better connect City Park and Memorial Field, allowing pedestrians to walk between both parks more safely.

The Mullan work will cost $2 million. The city has budgeted $400,000 to cover some of the expense, and ignite's money will cover the rest.

"It will bring Memorial Field to the Park," city Parks and Recreation Director Steve Anthony said Monday. "It will feel like one big park down there."

The work, once completed, will include reducing Mullan to two lanes from five and installing two small traffic circles, which will allow the city to easily close off the road during summer events. Park Drive will be rerouted.

The work also will include improvements behind the Memorial Field grandstand that will include a plaza with pavers, benches and trees.

Additionally, some utilities need to be installed in preparation for the historic Playland Pier Carousel that is expected to be established next to Memorial Field. A foundation is raising money for a building to house the carousel.

Some additional pathways into City Park from Mullan will be laid as part of the Mullan project, and 20 new diagonal parking spots off Mullan will be established. A dirt parking area next to the Memorial Field grandstand will be paved.

The construction will also include some stormwater improvements.

"We'd like to start construction in the spring," Anthony said. The city would like to have the construction completed this coming summer, he said.

On Monday, the Coeur d'Alene City Council's public works committee agreed to a design contract for the Mullan project. The contract will go to Welch Comer Engineers, of Coeur d'Alene, and is for $326,330. The full council needs to approve the contract next week, said Councilman Dan Gookin, a member of the public works committee.