Post Falls Debate Centers On Town Square Supporters Daydream Of Bakery, Museum, But Critics Counter With Traffic, School Worries
Some could practically smell brotchen cooking in a German bakery in downtown Post Falls.
Others saw traffic problems.
Tuesday evening, about 30 people discussed a plan to create a gathering place for the people of this city - a new town square.
“I see no negative impact on the city or the surrounding neighborhood,” wrote Renea Lindsay, a resident and Realtor for Windermere/Coeur d’Alene Realty, in a letter to the planners of the town square project.
“I only see a positive impact on what is now possibly the oldest (and shabbiest) area of Post Falls.”
The town square idea, brainchild of resident Cyndie Hammond, would use much of the area surrounding the new city hall between Spokane and William streets and between Fourth and Fifth streets.
The proposal offers many possibilities for the area, including a bake house, landscaping, theme lighting, a bandstand, a gathering area and a beer garden.
“I’m opposed to the whole thing. I’m a little bit outraged,” resident Marsha Young said.
She said she wants people to focus their efforts on improving the schools and helping children with special needs instead of working on the town square, she said.
“Where are the priorities of the citizens of Post Falls?” she asked. “We need more schools. We need more money poured into our children.”
Everyone at the meeting probably supports the school bond and already wants to help the schools, said Karen Streeter, who helped plan the town square concept.
Some residents and a trustee for neighboring Post Falls Community Presbyterian Church worried about the traffic the project might create.
“We’re concerned about traffic - vehicular traffic - and safety,” said Art Wood, the church trustee, adding that he liked the idea overall.
“We’re concerned that someone, especially children when their parents park there, will run out in the street and get hit by an automobile,” he said.
Wood also said a map of the project shows that some church parking is on a street people might use to access the town square.
Other residents offered encouragement and numerous suggestions for the square, including putting up a statue of town founder Frederick Post, converting the police station into a museum and visitor center, and holding summer concerts in the proposed bandstand.
Planners will meet again, discuss the suggestions they’ve collected, and schedule another public hearing in about two months, Hammond said. After that, they will start applying for grants.
“This is exactly what we had hoped for,” Hammond said of the turnout and the comments people made.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Filling in the square Ideas for a new town square in Post Falls include a German bake shop, a fountain, a bandstand, converting the current police station into a museum or shop, an entry gate on Frederick Street and theme lighting. The proposed square would encompass the area from Spokane Street to William Street, and from Fourth Street to Fifth Street. Cyndie Hammond, who thought of the concept, has been gathering community input on the project for about a month. Residents commented on it at a public meeting late Tuesday.