Cda Proposals Going On Display Plans For Open Spaces Based On Citizens’ Ideas

There are three options for revamping the McEuen Field-City Hall area, three for redoing the public property from Independence Point to Northwest Boulevard, and a few suggestions for the retail district.

So unfolds the first round of formal suggestions for remodeling Coeur d’Alene’s waterfront parks and green space, all going on display Monday in a vacant downtown store.

Residents can see the proposals, including sketches of what they would look like, at 317 Sherman Ave.

The proposals were drafted from ideas more than 400 people gave to Walker-Macy, the Portland consulting firm hired for the task, during a January workshop.

“It’s all of the ideas we think reflect the public input and our ideas based on that input,” said Doug Macy of Walker-Macy.

Suggestions for the publicly owned open space include additional recreational facilities, more open space along the waterfront, returning the carousel to Independence Point, rearranging ball fields and changing the use of the City Hall area. Walker-Macy’s suggestions all honor the strong public feelings for not eliminating any open space in the area.

The display runs from noon to 9 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. That’s followed by a public workshop Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m., at Lake City High School.

At the Wednesday evening event, people will divide up into groups and discuss what proposals they prefer.

Residents will get the most in-depth look at the plans, and be able to get the most complete information about the proposals, by visiting the Sherman Avenue display prior to the meeting, Macy said.

While the downtown retail district is not part of the consultant’s review, Walker-Macy is including ideas people voiced at the January workshop. That includes suggestions for a library on Sherman Avenue and a performing arts center in the Elks Building on Lakeside Avenue.

There will be a third workshop later this spring, focusing on refining a single plan for the downtown green space. The project is supposed to be ready for presentation to the Urban Renewal Agency by June 1.

This sidebar appeared with the story: IF YOU GO Plans on display The proposals for using publicly owned open spaces will be on display from noon to 9 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. That’s followed by a public workshop Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m., at Lake City High School.