City to hold open house on street plan

SANDPOINT — City officials are hosting an open house next week as they seek input on the construction phase of Sandpoint's downtown revitalization project.

City staff and representatives from Century West Engineering, the engineering firm contracted by the city to manage and design the construction project, will provide an update on the two-way downtown streets reversion and will seek input on options for the parking changes on Church Street.

"The open house is for business owners, tenants of businesses, for the community to come in and see what the project is, talk about phasing and what improvements they would like to see down there," said Christine Fueston, business development and senior project manager with Century West.

Public input is requested on scheduling and design options for the first phase of the construction project — which is scheduled to begin in the spring — to rebuild the streets, sidewalks and other improvements on Cedar Street between Fifth and Second avenues. Design concepts will also be presented for Farmin's Landing, which is the city-owned Sand Creek shoreline between Bridge Street Bridge and the Panida Theater. Public input on project timing and future phases will also be sought in order to minimize impacts to the downtown businesses, community events and City Beach access.

"We are trying not disturb major community events, trying to keep everything as accessible as possible throughout the construction period." Fueston said, adding that major construction along First and Cedar will not begin until after Lost in the 50s in May. "With each construction season we'll have some detours in place, but the businesses will be open."

Fueston said the city of Sandpoint's Downtown Streets Plan and Design Guide, which was adopted by City Council in 2012, set a template to redevelop the downtown streets.

"So this is the implementation of that document," Fueston said. "We are not going back and revising that document, we are just building on that. What (the open house) will be is an opportunity for people to give input on what kind of street furniture do they want to see? What kind of colors do they want? It's an opportunity for the folks in Sandpoint to really customize their downtown and take what we have today and make it that much better."

The downtown revitalization project was initiated in December 2000 to engage the community in discussions about the future of its downtown. Efforts included pedestrian crossing safety improvements, improved lighting, the plaza and splash fountain at Jeff Jones Town Square, park improvements and the waterfront boardwalk and boat launch along Sand Creek. These improvements, coupled with private building investments and successful year-round events have given Sandpoint national recognition as one of “America’s Most Beautiful Small Towns” and "Best Places to Live,” and have established Downtown Sandpoint as the heart of the region.

Most of the funding for the final design and construction costs of the revitalization project is supported through the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency. Grant funding and other sources will be sought for the construction at Farmin's Landing.

The open house is scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Jan. 19, on the second floor balcony of the Columbia Bank Building, 414 Church St.