Local business owner explains parking through video

The inevitable conflict every tourist town eventually faces is found on the same battlefield.

The parking lot.

Whether it’s local residents living on fixed incomes struggling to pay rising parking costs, campaign promises that are challenged or even broken, or two competing visitors squaring off over that last empty spot on Independence Point, the issue of parking in Coeur d’Alene can leave a strong aftertaste.

One local businessman decided he wanted to help.

“We just wanted to make an informational video [that] we hope will help the community,” Andy Isaacson said. “Parking can be such a hot topic. We just wanted to be helpful and maybe take the frustration out of it for some people.”

Along with assistant Ethan Smith, Isaacson — co-owner of CDA Idaho Clothing Co. on Sherman Avenue — created a video to explore the downtown core’s parking options. Using a Sony A7iii camera and a drone, he explained to viewers every available location for the city’s 2,100-plus parking spots, 1,230 of which are free in one capacity or another.

“We have so many parking options now,” Isaacson said. “I wanted to figure out the ins and outs of where people can park, and I learned quite a bit in the process. It was actually really fun.”

Shot over the course of June 4 and June 5, Isaacson walked through various parts of downtown while explaining the exact details of which parking costs money, which parking is free and which parking has certain conditions. Drone footage weaves between scenes, giving viewers breathtaking aerial footage of the parking lots throughout Coeur d’Alene.

“Just working downtown,” Isaacson said, “we hear from time to time people not understanding parking or not understanding where they can park. It’s something we business owners hear. I just wanted to do something to help people coming downtown and looking for a place to park.”

Isaacson posted on CDA Idaho Clothing Co.’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and Instagram account. The video was also presented as a gift to the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association and shown to the City’s Parking Commission at their meeting Tuesday, June 11. The Downtown Association gave resounding thanks to Isaacson for his work.

“This is an incredible, incredible piece of work,” Commissioner Jim Chapkis said. “It’ll be a real asset to the Downtown Association. I think we all owe him for this.”