City denied strategic initiative funding
PRIEST RIVER — The city was one of 79 applicants hoping to acquire a portion of the $11 million strategic initiatives fund through the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council.
The city requested $750,000 to be used for its downtown revitalization project this summer. With $52.5 million in requests, however, Priest River ranked number 42 by LHTAC among the list of applicants, Matt Gillis with Welch Comer Engineers said during the Feb. 20 City Council meeting.
"Naturally, we all disagree with that ranking," Gillis said. "We've asked repeatedly for a debrief from LTHAC as to why we ranked so low. When you look at the ranking, there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason — we can't tell what the reasoning is — how people ranked well and not so well.
A couple of area projects that ranked ahead of Priest River's, said Mayor Jim Martin, include a pavement overlay project for North Ella Avenue in Sandpoint, as well as a roundabout project in the Post Falls Highway District.
One criteria, Martin said, is safety, and LHTAC's database didn't reveal the vehicle crashes at the corner of High Street and Wisconsin. Martin said he has seen several crashes there, and was able to obtain data from Priest River Police Chief Drew McLain. This will increase safety points next time the city applies for strategic initiative funds.
In the meantime, due to the more than $600,000 deficit for the $1.5 million downtown revitalization project, Gillis said the project could be scaled back.
"We are still working on funding avenues, and we haven't given up on strategic initiatives, but we have to start thinking about if we have to cut, where do we cut?" Gillis said.
The original plan centers on the downtown area stretching north to south between Highway 2 and Montgomery, and Cedar to Wisconsin from east to west. It focuses on putting colorful foliage at the intersection of Main and High streets, and expanding the sidewalks and parking areas along the roads. One of the more expensive elements, Gillis said, includes grade changes in the area of Main and High streets.
"It's going to look fantastic, but it costs a little money," Gillis said.
Gillis said the city runs a risk waiting to put the project out to bid until later in the year, as contractors will be booked with other projects, but said it would be "wise" to consider another run at LHTAC.Ultimately, the council decided to hold off a month to see what happens in the Legislature and future strategic initiative opportunities. Also, Martin said, some of the cities that scored high in the application process may not be ready to build this year, so the money might come back around.
Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDaillyBee.