Hagadone plan likely faces a vote

Coeur d’Alene residents likely will vote in February on Duane Hagadone’s proposal to close two blocks of Sherman Avenue and a portion of Front Avenue.

The Coeur d’Alene City Council unanimously directed staff Tuesday night to draw up language for an advisory vote for the Feb. 1 ballot, which already includes two bond measures for a new downtown library and public safety needs.

The council will officially decide Dec. 21 whether to put the advisory vote on the ballot.

“It doesn’t make a difference where I go,” Councilman Ron Edinger said. “People are saying, ‘Give us the opportunity to vote.’ “

The advisory vote would be nonbinding and the council would have the final say.

Hagadone is asking the city to close the streets so he can expand the Coeur d’Alene Resort by building a new hotel tower on the southeast corner of Sherman and Second Street and transform the asphalt into a memorial garden honoring his parents.

Hagadone wasn’t available for comment Tuesday night. But in a November interview, the multi-millionaire businessman said he didn’t think an advisory vote was necessary.

“We elect our city officials to make these decisions,” Hagadone told The Spokesman-Review. “If every decision that came up took a vote, it wouldn’t be in the best interest of our community.”

Council members and the mayor have been bombarded with letters, e-mails, phone calls and residents stopping them on the street to plead for an advisory vote.

“This is our main street,” said Councilman Ben Wolfinger. “Main streets set the character of our community. With the comments I hear, it is the character (residents) are concerned about.”

Two residents came to the council meeting to voice that very opinion and request the advisory vote.

“This request will forever change the west end of Coeur d’Alene and access to the city park,” said Mark Weadick. “Let the citizens get involved on this major decision.”

Resident Patrick Wheeler applauded the council’s decision.

“This had the potential to be a divisive issue of monstrous proportion,” he said.

Supporters of the $3 million library bond are uncertain what effect the advisory vote could have on their measure.

“It doesn’t change the need for us,” said Sandy Patano, spokeswoman for the group Library Bond Election. “We’re still long overdue for a new library.”

The same is true for supporters of the $7 million public safety bond that would include a new training center and fire truck.

Each measure needs a two-thirds vote to pass.

Edinger said the council is showing good faith by putting the Hagadone advisory vote on the ballot.

“I’m saying, in return vote for the library and public safety,” he said. “It boils down to the library and public safety bonds have to stand on their own merit.”