Late transit center opposition mounts
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — Nearly three years after Kootenai County and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe purchased two lots in Coeur d’Alene’s Riverstone development for a transit center, opposition is now mounting against the project.
Prior to Thursday’s Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting at Post Falls City Hall in which the transit center was discussed, Kootenai County Commissioner Marc Eberlein said he’s opposed to the plan.
“I don’t perceive we have the need here,” he said. “I’m sure some would find it useful, but how many? We’re a small area. It’s not like New York City, L.A. or Chicago.”
There were a total of 143,111 rides on Citylink in Kootenai County in fiscal year 2016.
The center would serve as a hub for Citylink, but Eberlein has concerns that other systems such as Greyhound and Spokane Transit would use the facility.
“You know how things grow,” he said. “It starts as one thing, then becomes something else.”
But Kimberly Hobson, program specialist at the county’s Public Transit Office, said any decisions with other operations tying into the center would need to be approved by county commissioners.
She said the Greyhound idea simply came up as a possible way to help make the center self-sustainable in the future, but the county has not approached the company. With Spokane Transit, there have been early discussions to tie into that system at the state line, but there are no such plans now.
Eberlein said the center would become another burden on local taxpayers.
However, Hobson said her department is moving ahead with the plan since commissioners approved construction in January. She said the vocal opposition to the center didn’t arise until the recent public meetings on an analysis that offers recommended changes to make Citylink more efficient and sustainable. The transit center is not part of the analysis.
“We are moving forward with the bidding process and expect to have a transit center completed in 2018,” Hobson said. “It has been a project in the works for a long time with several Boards of County Commissioners, the different city partners and with the support and input of the Tribe. It will be exciting to turn the dirt lot (of the temporary center in Riverstone) into the well-lit and secure administration building, parking area and outdoor seating area for waiting clients.”
Hobson said some concerns have been expressed that the transit center would be a magnet for crime. She believes, based on emails she has received, the topic has become political at the expense of citizens who use Citylink to get to appointments, grocery stores and other necessary stops.
“Public transportation is a cornerstone upon which every modern economy is built,” she told KMPO board members. “It enables people to get jobs, to shop, to gain an education or skill, to get health care, to lead independent lives that fuel our local economy. It is disheartening to have political factions willing to organize their membership against spending any tax dollars on public transportation when it is such a key economic driver in this area.”
After Hobson read her statement, Eberlein asked KMPO Chairman Jim Kackman if political references not be expressed in front of the board.
“I think she’s finished with that, Marc,” Kackman said.
Brent Regan, chairman of the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, said the group hasn’t had a discussion about the transit center nor has it taken a position. However, he hopes the committee will have a presentation about it.
Regan, who attended one open house on proposed Citylink changes and plans to attend another one, said he hasn’t formed an opinion on the transit center. However, he has a lot of questions about it.
“Why is the county paying for something that predominantly involves the cities?” he said, referring to the routes and riders. “It seems like the wrong folks are managing it.”
Regan said he also questions whether the center is a wise use of tax dollars and how private businesses such as Greyhound could tie into a public facility.
Coeur d’Alene City Council Member Dan Gookin, also a KMPO board member, also has concerns about the center. He said, as an elected official, he’s reluctant to give more money toward a project because the area isn’t large enough to make public transportation efficient.
“You can’t have mass transit be effective when you don’t have high density,” he said.
The county is expected to go out to bid later this month to design the first phase of the transit center. That phase will include 2,500 square feet of office space, bus pull-through areas, covered seating, paved parking and security cameras.
The first phase is estimated to cost $2,056,360. The Federal Transit Administration will fund $1,645,088, while the local match will be $411,272.
The county will own, operate and maintain the improvements of the Riverstone Transit Center.
The transit system in Kootenai County is funded by FTA, the Idaho Transportation Department, participating cities, Kootenai County, and by voluntary support from Kootenai Health and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.
Citylink change meetings
Kootenai County Transit is proposing to make changes to Citylink routes and implement fares, including $1.50 for urban fixed routes and $3 for paratransit service. Information meetings and opportunities to comment will be held at the following times and locations:
- Today, 1-2 p.m., Hayden Library;
- Monday, 3-5 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Library;
- Wednesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Rooms 1A, 1B, Kootenai County Administration Building.
* Testimony about the proposed changes will be taken during the public hearing held before the county commissioners on May 2 at 6 p.m. in rooms 1A and 1B in the Kootenai County Administration building, 451 N. Government Way.