Let's get on with bike path, byway

Bike path and city park maintenance swap for Sand Creek Waterfront Property.

Such a deal to turn down, especially since the city could be hindering the Sand Creek Bypass/Byway which we've been trying for 60-plus years to build.

Please don't forget that it was the local populace who wanted the bike path and park in the revised byway plan. The federal and state transportation departments are not normally involved in these items, which have no relationship to road construction. It strikes me that the bike path and park are a sop to get the byway done. Turning the swap down sure looks like you're shooting yourselves in the foot and perhaps condemning us locals to continuing the traffic gridlock.

Regarding the funds for maintaining the two items. What has happened to all the much-ballyhooed tax revenue and impact fees from construction on every square foot available in the city? Even raising this issue of maintenance funding may give NICAN another idea on how to further destroy progress of the byway. I suspect "The Seasons" or Sletager would just love to fill the proposed park area with more condos and townhouses.

Accepting the gift is a "no brainer." Let's get on with the byway.

PETER D. HERAPER

Sandpoint