SURA gets updates on city projects

SANDPOINT — There is a lot going on when it comes to municipal projects and events in the area.

Board members and city partners heard about those updates at Tuesday's Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency meeting.

n Church Street Project

Bruce Robertson of the public works department said the city intends to complete the Church Street project by the end of May. While the sidewalk replacement component is nearly complete, landscaping plants for the unfinished swales are not due for delivery until late April, he said.

n Fiber Optic Cable Network

The city government component of the fiber optic cable project is on schedule for midsummer completion, Robertson said.

"We're hoping to have fiber optic lit up in City Hall by the end of June," he said. "However, we are still months away from the fiber to the home conversation."

"The timeline for development of the full business plan would be 3-4 months," said Jennifer Stapleton, city administrator. "We definitely want to get it finished by the end of the fiscal year.” 

“It’s moving along very smoothly, really, I’m delighted with the way this project has gone," added Robinson. “Downtown is fully committed and funded at $30,000. The remaining $30,000 is for the north side."

BID Events

"The Sandpoint Business Improvement District exists to cultivate year-round economic prosperity and vitality within the Sandpoint BID," according to the non-profit organization's website. A $45,000 grant from SURA provides operating funds from the 2015-2016 year. BID grant administrator Kim Queen was on hand to bring the board up to speed on recent and upcoming events.

BID's Sandpoint Winter Carnival earned mention in the Pacific Northwest Inlander's Best of 2016 report, she said. The district is planning a city clean-up day April 19, and Queen expects delivery of city flower baskets May 18. Memorial Day weekend will mark the premier of BID's Summer Sounds concert series.