Hope mulls downtown sidewalk plan
HOPE — City officials are mulling a plan that called for handicapped accessible walkway that starts at City Hall and ends at the old Hope Hotel — traversing the better part of downtown Hope.
Representative for the owner of Icehouse Pizza Parlor, Lance Miller, True North Land Surveying, presented the proposal to city officials and explained that currently the only wheelchair accessible building is the city hall, despite it not quite being ADA compliant.
Miller said that Ed “Bear” Weiner the pizza parlor’s owner, and the adjacent property owner, Hannah Hempstead, were in court ordered mediation regarding accessibility to Weiner’s business.
“Our goal is to familiarize you with the ideas as a result of the mediation,” Miller said. “Bear needs a plan because of the space limitations. We’re not looking for a decision, but want you to see what we’ll present to the state.”
Idaho Transportation Department owns the right of way through the city so it is necessary for the department to sign off on the plans
In a document distributed to council members, Weiner said there was a walkway or sidewalk across the downtown lots since the late 1800s — proven by a picture that hangs in City Hall. The sidewalk endured until 1999 when the adjacent building was torn down.
Weiner’s building abuts the neighboring property line and he is looking for a way to make his business handicapped accessible. He said that as a public restaurant he thought it was necessary to be ADA compliant. The mayor, Joe Dean, however thought that since it was an historic building that it was exempt.
Miller said that the plan includes adding at least one crosswalk to aid pedestrians across the old highway. He said that utilizing the pedestrian signs like the ones used in Sandpoint would slow traffic on that narrow road.
“We need a real way to get pedestrians from one side to the other,” Miller said. “And a fully ADA compliant ramp addresses the future grown of the city.”
Miller emphasized that there would be no financial impact to the city. He said that they will seek grants for the improvements, and that they are in contact with Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, who has offered to assist.
Council member Bill Breen said that his concern was that people park in front of city hall and the Icehouse and that someone may walk out into the street and be hit.
Dean said that currently the only legal parking is in front of city hall, but that ITD doesn’t enforce parking regulations.
“If we build this landing,” Dean said, “there will be no parking at all on this side of the street.”
Two residents in attendance voiced their approval of the project and there were no negative statements from the council. The next step is for the representatives to move forward with a presentation to the state followed by seeking funding.