Streets director: Sherman work will be done by fair

Construction on Sherman Avenue is expected to be finished before the 32nd annual Downtown Coeur d’Alene Street Fair begins Aug. 2. 

Todd Feusier, the city’s streets and engineering director, pretty much guarantees it. 

“It will be done before Street Fair,” he said. 

The mill and inlay work began about July 8 between Government Way and Eighth Street, with full closures of Sherman Avenue between 2:30-9:30 a.m., and partial closures the rest of the day. 

Feusier said some people questioned the window he chose for the project, but he said it was the largest gap he could find between two major downtown events, July 4 and the fair. 

“It is on schedule at this point,” he said Thursday. 

Crews will begin paving Sherman Avenue on Sunday, which should take about two days. On Tuesday, they’ll start putting road markings back down. 

In a separate project but the same area, contracted crews are putting in utilities at Sixth Street and Sherman Avenue for the new Marriott hotel coming there, perhaps next year. Feusier said they wanted to finish that before paving the area. 

Emily Boyd, executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, said the construction has impacted businesses during their busiest time of the year. 

“It’s not the ideal time for businesses,” she said. “The summer season is when they are making their money.” 

She said visitors have been surprised when they see the orange "ROAD CLOSED AHEAD” signs and construction equipment. 

As the day goes on, visitors realize shops are open as usual, Boyd said. 

“It has not been too much of a deterrent,” she said.  

She said the city and contractors have done well in coordinating with businesses and doing what they can to keep traffic flowing and visitors coming. 

“It’s been a good line of communication,” Boyd said.

While a little concerned initially that the Sherman Avenue work could extend until the Street Fair, Boyd is confident it will be finished in time and the improvements down the road will be well worth any troubles.

The Downtown Street Fair will have more than 150 vendors this year and runs Aug. 2-4.  

    Drivers navigate their way past road markers on Sherman Avenue on Thursday.