City lot could see improvements, paid parking

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint’s Urban Renewal Board discussed potential improvements and possible fees for the city’s downtown parking lot at its May 7 meeting.

The potential for a self-metered gate was brought up by Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm, who said the device could be placed at the entrance and exit to the parking lot, with spikes that are triggered if a driver attempts to drive the wrong way out of the lot. This would avoid the need for additional staffing. 

“I want to run the numbers and see if it makes sense to potentially find an elegant solution to paid parking there,” he said. “Because anything you subsidize and give away for free, you’re going to attract more of it — whether it’s food, or free pizza or free parking.”

He noted that the area used to be a paid parking lot, giving value to those spots. In recent years the lot became free. 

“If we’re ever going to seriously consider a parking structure there, we need to start at least showing that people are willing to pay,” he said. 

Throughout discussion, ideas like charging seasonally with a summertime cost, variable rates based on hours, real-time pricing based on availability and protocols that accommodate downtown workers were all suggested.

Other changes at the lot could also be in store as recently , the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Commission met with city staff at the lot to brainstorm ideas that could help take the area to the next level. 

Suggestions currently include artful benches and bicycle racks installed on the Third Avenue corners of the lot. A kiosk reminiscent of an older kiosk on the corner of Third and Oak Street is also likely to be installed. 

ACHPC chair, Elle Susnis, said locals often ask her about what happened to the old kiosk. The new kiosk would include similar features like a map and other way-finding tools she said.

Discussion about the features of the sign were discussed, with Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm saying that he hopes for a sign that would be easily updated.

“In my mind it might say, ‘public hearing on [blank] next Tuesday, City Hall,’ with the website and maybe a QR code where people could get information,” he said. 

Other suggestions included a live summit camera of Schweitzer Mountain, or a designated spot to promote city permitted events. 

Replacing the current asphalt at the lot was also referenced.