Councilman: City will need second downtown garage

COEUR d’ALENE — A Coeur d’Alene City Council member said the city will need to build a second downtown parking garage to keep up with demand.

“At some point in time, if we want downtown to continue to be successful, we’re going to need to build another parking garage,” Dan Gookin said Tuesday. “We’re talking about a bond, maybe $50 million to build an adequate-sized parking garage so people can come down here and find a place to park.”

Gookin was concerned about a parking agreement approved by the council between Front Row Properties, LLC and Front Row Sherman, LLC for use by the former U.S. Bank Building on Sherman and Third Street.

City attorney Randy Adams said part of the agreement would cost the city four parking spaces, though it would receive financial compensation.

“This concerns me because we’re running out of parking space downtown,” Gookin said. "It's getting tougher and tougher to park."

Most summer days, downtown parking spaces on streets and in lots fill quickly. The city’s Fourth Street parking garage opened in 2021 and has been busy.

Gookin said some downtown developments have not provided adequate parking and parking requirements have been waived.

While he understands the popularity of the live, work, play concept that combines residential and commercial properties, Gookin said parking must be part of the equation.

“There should be adequate parking downtown or we’re going to lose downtown because no one is going to come down here to park," he said.

Councilwoman Kiki Miller said a parking study commissioned by the city was finished in May 2016.

“Parking Development in the City will need to be coordinated with increases in parking demand to ensure that as new development occurs, Coeur d’Alene will have the ability to determine when to consider new parking,” according to the study. “Deciding when to initiate new parking and whether to build surface or structured parking will depend first and foremost on financial constraints.”

It went on to say that, “It is in the City’s best interest to have a well thought out plan to address parking so it does not hinder development in the downtown."

A preliminary survey by Coeur d'Alene High School students in June found that 33% of those parking downtown were residents; 29% were visitors; 19% worked in downtown and 18% were there for business.

Of 59 responses, the survey found that 36% parked on the street; 25% parked in a business lot; and 14% parked at the McEuen Park lot.

Most drivers, 77%, said they just drove around looking for an open space.

When asked what would help to find parking, 51% said more and better signs; 11% said less traffic and 7% said more parking space.

Gookin suggested the council have future discussions about downtown parking regulations.

“So if someone wants to put in a tower and they’re going to have commercial space, that there’s adequate parking for everyone who wants to work in that building. That would seem like a simple thing to ask," he said.

Council members Christie Wood and Dan English both said they supported talks on downtown parking and then perhaps bringing it back as an action item.

"I certainly support an information item. Bring it forward," Wood said.

"I think we absolutely should be trying to stay ahead of the parking," English said.