Peanut Gallery (Slow down, you’re movin’ too fast)

Duane Hagadone’s new plan is most exciting and filled with possibilities. First, it is too dangerous to take any action on the public properties until all the issues are hammered out. Duane is not going to go to Spokane. That is an idle threat. He hates Spokane even more than he hates losing money. Even if he went to Spokane, he would be back with this plan, guaranteed. If he is willing to cool his heels for a while and remains positive working through the process, maybe, just maybe, everyone will get the benefit from this new vision.

This is the time when the people of Coeur d’ Alene will know whether they have competent and determined Planning Commissioners. They have lots of work to do on public access and public spaces, parking problems, traffic movement, designs, economic issues with the Sherman Avenue merchants, and others too numerous to mention. Will the city residents lease the Sherman Avenue abandoned section to him for a decent amount of money? Will Duane pay for all improvements to the bypass including the purchase of land to make those wide turns onto lakeside and onto 3rd street? What about securing public spaces forever in the agreement and being certain that the present public spaces are not compromised for any reason?

The hotel has been an enormous contributor to the vitality of the downtown area of our city. We should be ready to listen to this proposal but many many decision have to made for people of Coeur d’ Alene. My guess is that he will get mad and take his ball home if too many questions are asked. Now is the time to ask them.

Steve Badraun (pictured)
sbadraun@earthlink.net