TOWER: Council misses the mark

I was gobsmacked when I read “Sherman Tower Going Up.” As I continued to read, I became incensed that the City Council “unanimously” approved this monstrosity! 

Aren’t they elected officials who are supposed to be representing the residents of this community? According to this article the project is “supported” by “nearly” 40 people who apparently wrote letters to someone. To whom were these letters written? Last time I checked, the population of Coeur d’Alene was around 65,000 people. How does 40 letters represent support?

John Barlow who is the project consultant says “we could have gone higher and wider … but it just didn’t fit with what we wanted to do …” Higher than 15 stories? Really? According to Mr. Barlow this hotel is supposed to “restore this block to its former status, echoing its significance in the community for numerous years …” How does a 15-story monstrosity “restore” this block to its “former status?”

A letter writer stated, “As someone who has witnessed the growth and evolution of Coeur d’Alene over the years, I believe that the Sherman Tower will be a game-changer for our economy.” You bet it will. As will the proposed Marriott that is supposed to be built on Sherman and Sixth. 

This structure will have 139 rooms with 109 parking spaces, which is more than “the Downtown Core Design code requires (only) 90 spaces.” Where are all the people who will be working at this hotel supposed to park? A hotel of that size will require a minimum staff of 300 including wait staff, house cleaners, maintenance, security, kitchen staff and administration. How far will 109 parking spaces go to satisfy that need?

CHRISTINE SHEPPARD

Coeur d’Alene