Fair takes control of streets in CdA

Several main downtown Coeur d’ Alene streets will be closed today through Sunday evening to make way for the Downtown Street Fair, one of three major events taking place in the city this weekend.

Sherman Avenue is closed between Second and Seventh streets. Motorists will have to take a detour to Front or Lakeside, but the side streets south of Lakeside and north of Front will not be accessible. Third, a southbound one-way street, Fourth, a northbound one-way street, and Seventh, a two-way street, will be open for motorists to access the downtown area.

The Downtown Street Fair runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Streets will open again at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Art on the Green, at North Idaho College, and Taste of the Coeur d’ Alenes Festival, at City Park, both running Friday through Sunday, will not require street closures, said City street superintendent Jon Ingalls.

Ingalls said closures for events like this weekend’s are predictable for drivers because they are similar every year.

“We have worked real hard with the Police Department and the events’ sponsors to do our very best at trying to mitigate the effect,” he said.

Parking will be available at the city parking lot on Front between Second and Third. The first two hours of parking are free. Free parking is available at City Hall at Seventh Street and Mullan Avenue on weekends, with limited parking available Friday. North Idaho Title, 700 Northwest Blvd., also allows free parking on weekends. There are several Diamond Parking Service pay lots bordering City Park.

There are two construction-related closures in Coeur d’Alene this weekend: Fourth will be closed to through traffic from the roundabout south to Neider Avenue. The Government Way bridge over Interstate 90 remains closed.

For more information about road closures related to this weekend’s events, call the city’s Municipal Services Department at (208) 769-2229.