City regains control of streets
(File photo by MARY MALONE) Pine Street had just been converted to two-way traffic in this June 1 file photo. On Wednesday, City Council members approved a members approved an Idaho Department of Transportation quit claim deed, which relinquishes control of Pine, Cedar and Superior Streets, as well as First Avenue, to the city
SANDPOINT — The downtown streets that recently converted to two-way traffic are now under ownership of the city.
Portions of Cedar, Pine and Superior streets, as well as First Avenue, were previously under control of the state. City Council members approved a quit claim deed during Wednesday's meeting, which relinquishes control of those streets from the state to the city.
"It's been quite a journey," said Mayor Shelby Rognstad, as he thanked staff for "all their hard work" on the project.
The Idaho Transportation Department began work on Fifth Avenue in August 2016, and completed its work to convert Pine, First and Cedar to two-way in the spring of 2017. Church Street, already under ownership of the city, was converted to two-way traffic as well.
The agreement between the city and the state dates back to March 2015. According to the agreement, with the reconfiguration of Fifth Avenue, those streets would no longer needed by the state, becoming "surplus real property" that the state would transfer to the city.
"I'd just like to say that this has been a long time coming and it is a really great moment that we are here tonight," said Councilwoman Shannon Williamson.
"I concur," added Councilwoman Deb Ruehle.
The city adopted the Downtown Streets Plan and Design Guidelines in 2012, and the next step in its implementation is the planned Cedar Street improvements between Second and Fifth avenues.
The Cedar Street improvements, which are only the first phase of the three year project, were originally scheduled for the summer of 2017, but after the only project bid came back much higher than expected, city staff decided to put it on hold. The project will again go out to bid in the next month or two, Rognstad said, and the project will resume this summer.
To keep on schedule for completion of all three phases of the downtown revitalization by 2019, a portion of phase two may be combined with the Cedar Street improvements this year, said City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton after the project was cancelled last year. Improvements will include reconstruction of sidewalks, lighting, street furniture, storm gardens and more.
Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.