Landing a stunning new park
This map shows where the park would be built in the Post Falls Landing project on the Spokane River near the Post Falls Dam and Falls Park.
Post Falls, Avista Utilities and Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Company are collaborating on a park project along the Spokane River above the Post Falls Dam that would include an overlook, amphitheater, plaza with benches and crane pad. Details have not been finalized.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — A collaborative park project could capitalize on Post Falls' crown jewels.
The city, Avista Utilities and Liberty Bankers Life Insurance Company, which owns the Post Falls Landing site on the Spokane River, are working on a project that would feature an overlook above the river and Post Falls Dam, a sloping outdoor amphitheater, a plaza with benches, a trail to Falls Park and a crane pad for future work on the dam.
"This park will be a valuable addition to the city and its citizens and will hopefully spur additional development of the Landing site," said Shelly Enderud, city administrator.
It’s unclear when the project would become reality.
"The city will work with Liberty Bankers on acquiring an additional property that will be needed to accommodate the park," Enderud said. "The city and Avista would look at expanding the size of the park to allow for a crane pad so Avista could complete necessary improvements on the dam in the future."
Enderud said the other option for the crane pad would be near the boat launch across the river, but that isn't the first choice.
"Both the city and Avista agree that a crane pad site that could be used as a gathering area when the crane is removed is a better alternative," she said.
The city owns a quarter of an acre on the waterfront and is considering purchasing one-and-a-haf acres around it to create enough space for the features.
"This park is part of the required greenspace for the Landing project," Enderud said.
A deal would give the city additional parkland on the river next to the dam to complement nearby Falls Park and Q'emiln Park across the river.
"At this time initial concepts have been developed, but no agreement is in place," said Avista's Mary Tyrie, adding that the project would benefit the public as well as the utility firm for a barge landing when it works on the dam.
Dave Fair, Post Falls' parks and recreation director, said the idea for a foot bridge across the river has been discussed below the dam, but not for this park area and inlet of the river above the dam.
Allan Scharton of Liberty Bankers, which assumed the Landing site several years ago after original developer Harry Green went bankrupt, called the project "an ongoing exchange of ideas and proposals."
"Even though a lot of time and discussion have gone into the proposed project up to this point, we have not reached a final resolution," Scharton said. "However, Liberty, Avista and the city want to work together to make this park project work out for everyone’s best interest. I think it will be a very positive addition for the citizens of Post Falls."
The Landing is a former Louisiana-Pacific mill site. Plans to develop it have been in the works for nearly 20 years as a potential anchor for the city center. Those economic development dreams have been stunted by legal battles, market conditions and other factors.
A revived marina and additional waterfront condominiums have provided some activity in the past year.