Residents Launch Into Master Plan Proposal To Remove Boat Launch, Move Parking Meets Resistance At Cda Public Hearing

Most residents first praised a master plan to give Coeur d’Alene a face lift but then offered plenty of suggestions Monday night to make it better.

More than 200 people filed into the Lake City High School auditorium to tell the Coeur d’Alene Urban Renewal Agency what they think of the master plan prepared by the Portland consulting firm of Walker-Macy.

Folks brought questions, concerns, stinging statements and applause for various speakers.

The plan includes a community plaza to take the place of the Third Street boat launch site, a possible new library, the return of a carousel to Independence Point, a visitor center, an arts complex and lots of parking near Northwest Boulevard.

After revisions, the final plan will be presented March 21 to the Coeur d’Alene City Council.

Removing the boat launch site and moving parking sparked the most negative comments.

Consultant Doug Macy said that removing the boat docks would create more uses for public activities. Adding boat moorage also would bring boaters downtown to shop or use McEuen Field.

“Now, it’s only used to send people away,” Macy said. “A boat launch, while important, is not something that promotes vitality on a year-round basis.”

“You either have an empty parking lot or a lot full of empty trailers,” he said.

The green-space plaza would open up views to Lake Coeur d’Alene. “It will tie the downtown to the water in a positive way.”

Local attorney Scott Reed praised the plan.

“The total parking would be increased, even though it won’t be as close to the Coeur d’Alene Resort as the owners might wish,” Reed said.

Malcolm Johnstone, executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, said business owners, including Hagadone Hospitality, do not want to move current parking that is located within walking distance of the Resort and many downtown businesses.

Todd Hudson, of Hudson’s Hamburgers, said his family has been doing business on Sherman Avenue for 93 years.

“And for 60 years, we’ve heard complaints about parking,” Hudson said. “If you take 300 parking spaces away, it can’t help business.”

Macy pointed out that the plan simply moved parking from near Independence Point and the boat launch to Front Avenue behind City Hall and along Northwest Boulevard.

In its place, would be green areas that could be used for everything from farmer’s markets to concerts.

David Voelker, owner of Pasty Depot on Northwest Boulevard, pointed out that the plan has a parking lot drawn where his restaurant currently sits.

“Will I be there or will I be asphalt?” Voelker asked the board. “I don’t see it - taking a business that is actually making it in this town.”

Macy told Voelker that the plan is only a concept at this point and a lot of work needs to be done with property owners.

“The idea is to work with business owners,” he said. “I think it’s vital keeping people like yourself and others in that area.”

Red Halpern, who was the Coeur d’Alene Parks and Recreation director from 1954-1985, spoke against anything that would ruin the view of the lake or removing the boat launch without first finding a replacement.

“The area we are discussing is public land,” Halpern said. “If you are a city taxpayer, you should have as much interest in this as anybody downtown.”