Post Falls to explore new bus route option further

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — Idaho Department of Health and Welfare may no longer be considering moving from Coeur d’Alene to Post Falls’ Riverbend Commerce Park, but city officials believe there still is enough interest in a new bus route returning to the west side to at least explore funding the possibility.

IDHW approached the city in November about the possibility of a new bus route that would include stops in Riverbend, Walmart, other businesses and subdivisions on Post Falls’ growing west side.

But city officials said they learned this week that IDHW is no longer exploring relocating to Riverbend due to cost estimates being too high.

"There’s still interest from businesses," assistant engineer Rob Palus told the City Council, adding that the city this week received letters of support from Camelot Estates and North Idaho College to add to the list of businesses, nonprofits and educational locations that earlier wrote letters of support.

Mayor Ron Jacobson said Jacklin Land Company, which operates Riverbend, told city officials it would be willing to assist financially with the bus route.

The council members said they are willing to hold a workshop on forming other such partnerships to make the new route a reality. Asking other cities that utilize Citylink, including Coeur d’Alene and Hayden, to chip in, especially if their residents utilize the route, will also be explored.

"People are looking for ways to commute to their jobs and doctors’ appointments," Palus said. "They see a route on the west side of Post falls as opening more options to them."

The total estimated annual cost of the new route for Monday-through-Saturday services is $170,000.

There was formerly a bus route on Post Falls’ west side until 2012 when funding became an issue.

Jacobson said he was disappointed to see the former route discontinued and would like to see it re-established if funding can be dedicated toward it. He said the possibility goes beyond whether IDHW relocates to Post Falls.

Palus said he still fields calls of residents wishing the western route would return.

Council member Lynn Borders said he believes the new route would enhance the educational facilities in Riverbend.

"I think it’s necessary, but funding is obviously the issue," he said.

Council member Alan Wolfe said additional funding for Citylink, and how much, can be an item for discussion during the upcoming budget season.

In other business at Tuesday night’s meeting, the council approved three annexation requests with single-family residential zoning, including:

- a 31.6-acre request by Tony and Lindsay Rude on both sides of Greensferry Road between Bluegrass and Killdeer lanes;

- a 10.4-acre request by JT Holdings, LLC, east of Chase Road and north of Fisher Avenue; and

- a 2-acre proposal by the Louis G. Sachwitz Living Trust east of Syringa Street and north of Horsehaven Avenue.