Downtown Cd'A parking plan would reward local residents

COEUR d'ALENE — Coeur d'Alene isn't sitting idle on downtown parking.

A proposal spearheaded by Mayor Steve Widmyer to make parking at McEuen Park and Memorial Field more friendly to local traffic was given the nod from the Parking Commission and will be considered by the City Council at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The proposal would allow Coeur d'Alene residents to buy an optional annual permit for $10 that would give them up to two hours per day at McEuen Park or Memorial Field. The permit fee would cover administrative costs.

The permit for Kootenai County residents who live outside Coeur d'Alene city limits would cost $20 per year.

"Comments and concerns from local citizens spurred on this local permit option," Widmyer said, adding that others, such as the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association and contractor Diamond Parking Services, also provided input. "This is important to local people, and I didn't want to do nothing — so I drafted this plan."

As it stands, all motorists, regardless of where they live, pay the same rates for the two parking areas. Current rates are $1 per hour for the McEuen and Memorial lots, $2 per hour for the museum lot, $3 per hour for Independence Point from May 1 to Sept. 30, and $2 per hour for Independence Point during the rest of the year.

Residents who live outside the county would continue to pay the hourly rates.

Widmyer said most local residents understand that parking fees pay for parks or parking facilities, though they also think local taxpayers deserve a better deal than people from outside the area.

The City Council heard concerns from residents last month about parking rate increases that were implemented May 1. At least 65 people attended the meeting.

The permit proposal applies to the McEuen and Memorial lots only and is only an option. Residents won't be required to buy a permit to park downtown. Widmyer said 58% of downtown parking places, including on-street parking and the parking garage, already allow for up to two hours of free parking.

If the proposal is approved by the council, the program would likely become effective Jan. 1. The permit cost is per calendar year.

Widmyer said permit holders would be given one shot to park in one of the lots for up to two hours each day, not for an hour in each lot.

"I'm just not sure how detailed we'll be able to get," he said.

During Ironman, Car d'Lane, the Coeur d'Alene Street Fair and the holiday light show, the fee structure, under the proposal, reverts to $10 a day for everyone, Widmyer said.

"We agreed to normal parking prices during events, except for the Fourth of July," Widmyer said.

On the Fourth, the $20 fee for lot parking would remain in effect, as those funds help the Chamber of Commerce put on the fireworks show.

If approved, the proposal would also put the city's parking services contract back out to bid.

"Diamond would then compete with others for the contract," Widmyer said. "A selection committee would select the best company. Competition can cause companies to sharpen their pencils and up their service game. It's time for Diamond to show us what they can do."

Widmyer said the city has enjoyed a good relationship with Diamond for more than 20 years.

The last time the city put the contract out to bid was 2013.

Widmyer said simplifying a parking permit structure such as license plate recognition was discussed, but ensuring that city residents have the best rate for the lots because they are paying taxes here was key.

"We believed it was important to recognize Coeur d'Alene residents from Kootenai County residents," he said, pointing out that license plates wouldn't allow for that.

Widmyer said the permit proposal would also help accommodate skateboarders, pickleball and softball players and City Park users in the Memorial lot.