CdA City Blog

City Streets, CDA Press June 17


Participating in a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run is definitely a challenge. But have you tried getting around Coeur d'Alene during Ironman?
After slightly more than a decade of races, many of us know what to expect: Road closures and detours at every turn. This year is no different. Beginning Thursday, the barricades and detour signs go up in preparation for this year's big race on Sunday.
"A lot of work goes into getting ready for this race," Coeur d'Alene Street Superintendent Tim Martin said. "Our top priority is to protect the athletes who will be using the roadways. At the same time, we want to help motorists get to where they need to go."
Street crews will set up barricades and detours between Second Avenue and Independence Point from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Here's what to expect:

• Southbound traffic into the downtown area will be detoured onto Lakeside Avenue to Second, Third or Fifth streets to reach Sherman Avenue. Resort traffic should use First Street.
• Westbound traffic on Sherman will be limited to local business access only to Second Street. These vehicles will need to loop around and exit the downtown on Fourth Street or Lakeside Avenue.
• Second Street at Sherman will be closed to northbound traffic. This area has been congested in the past. Since it's an Idaho Transportation Department bypass route, the city has always chosen to close traffic northbound and to leave it open to Resort southbound traffic.
• The bleachers on Sherman will be set up at 5 p.m. on Thursday and will remain in place until Monday, June 24.
• The Independence Point parking lot will also close at 5 p.m. Thursday so medical tents and Ironman booths can be set up. Traffic signals at Second and Sherman will change to red flash mode and the signals at Lakeside and Independence Point will be turned off. 

It's also important to note that the parking lot "A" located off Northwest Boulevard and Hubbard will close early Wednesday and reopen on Thursday, June 27. Mullan Avenue from 17th to 23rd streets will be a no-parking zone on the north side on Saturday, completely closed to traffic until Monday, June 24.
Expect traffic delays on Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive from Sherman to the Higgens Point boat launch during the bike portion of the race, particularly during peak hours of 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cyclists will be riding in both north and southbound lanes during this time. U.S. 95 will also be affected from Hubbard Avenue southbound to milepost 408 (Missile Base Road). Speeds will be reduced to 45 miles per hour.
The good news, Martin said, is there will be free public parking off River and Mullan, as well as in the City Hall parking lot. Free shuttle service will be provided.
"We want to remind drivers to be cautious on the roads," Martin said. "And to all the athletes participating in the big race, the city of Coeur d'Alene wishes you good luck!"

A free shuttle bus will begin operating in downtown Coeur d’Alene every day beginning Saturday, June 15th through Sunday, September 1st. The shuttle will pick up passengers at the south lot at City Hall and at the graded lot on Northwest Boulevard near Memorial Field. Both lots offer free parking. The shuttle service is the result of a partnership between the Downtown Association, Kootenai County, Citylink, and the City of Coeur d’Alene.

If you park in the lot off Northwest Boulevard, walk over to the small white building directly north of the Skateboard Park and across from the Spokesman Review Building to catch the shuttle. Disabled parking is also available at that location for access to the shuttle. The shuttle will make a repeating loop from the Northwest Boulevard lot, stopping along Lakeside at 2nd and 6th Streets, the south lot at City Hall, and then returning to the Northwest Boulevard Lot with stops on Lakeside at 6th, 4th and 2nd Streets. The loop will repeat from 9:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Look for the special downtown bus that says Welcome to Coeur d’Alene!

Passenger pick-up off Northwest Blvd.
A free shuttle bus will begin operating downtown this Saturday through September 1. It will pick up passengers at the south lot at City Hall and at the graded lot on Northwest Boulevard near Memorial Field. Both lots are free!

If you park in the lot off Northwest Boulevard, walk up to the former chicken diner, which is on Northwest and Garden Street (see photo at right). That’s where the disabled parking is available to access the shuttle. From there, the bus will make two stops along Lakeside at Second and Sixth streets, then over to the City Hall lot with three return stops on Lakeside (Sixth, Fourth and Second streets) 6th, 4th, and 2nd) and finally back to Northwest Boulevard.  

The loop will repeat from 9:30 a.m. till 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The shuttle service runs through Labor Day and is free! The shuttle bus is a partnership between the Downtown Association, Kootenai County, Citylink, and the City. Look for the special downtown bus that says Welcome to Coeur d’Alene.

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library is the place for reading this summer, but it is also the place for free children’s movies.
The Summer Reading Program includes Monday Movies in the Shirley Parker Storyroom in the Seagraves Children’s Library on the lower level, 702 E. Front Ave. The screenings are scheduled for 1 p.m. and include: ► June 17: “Over the Hedge,” rated PG. ► June 24: “Veggie Tales: Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything,” rated G. ► July 1: “James and the Giant Peach,” rated PG. ► July 8: “Brave,” rated PG. ► July 15: “Holes,” rated PG. ► July 22: “Land Before Time” and “Land Before Time II,” rated G. ► July 29: “Scooby Doo in Where’s My Mummy,” rated G. Licensing for free movies at the library is funded by the Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation.
Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315. For more library information visit cdalibrary.org. The library is a department of the City of Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Cooperative Information Network, cinlibraries.org. Library Director, Bette Ammon. Library hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8

A discussion of migration to and within the Idaho Territory will wrap of the lecture series the Coeur d’Alene Public Library marking the 150th anniversary of the creation of the territory. The program, Thursday, June 27, at 7 p.m., in the Community Room at the library, 702 E. Front Ave, is part of “The Road to Statehood” series. The series is offered in conjunction with the featured exhibit at the Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd., “Shaping the Handle: Idaho Territory 1863-1890.” The museum is open through Oct. 31.
 “Idaho Migration and Settlement,” will be presented by Dr. Ron Hatzenbuehler from Idaho State University.The Idaho Territory, encompassing what are now the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, was formed during the American Civil War with the blessings of Abraham Lincoln. By 1868 the territory would be reduced to the current size of the state. Statehood itself would not come until 1890.Earning masters and doctorate degrees in history at Kent State University, Hatzenbuehler has taught at Idaho State University since 1972. In addition to a teaching career of nearly four decades, he has written and lectured to the general public on Idaho population trends, migration, political history, and the legacies of presidents. Over the years, he has served on the advisory boards for Idaho State University Press, for ISU’s magazine Rendezvous, and for the Idaho State Historical Society magazine Idaho Yesterdays. In 2006, he published “I Tremble for My Country: Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Gentry” to much critical praise. In 2008 he received the Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities Award, given annually by the Idaho Humanities Council.According to David Townsend, Communications Coordinator for the library, a follow-up lecture series is being considered for the fall.“We have had a great response to these lectures and there are scholars and amateur historians we know of who have more to say on the subject,” he said.The series is funded through a grant from the Friends of the Coeur d’Alene Public Library. The participation of Hatzenbuehler is made possible by funding from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Patrons who need accommodation to participate in library programs or services are asked to contact the staff prior to the activity by calling 208-769-2315. For more library information visit cdalibrary.org. The library is a department of the City of Coeur d’Alene and a member of the Cooperative Information Network, cinlibraries.org. Library Director, Bette Ammon. Library hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m./Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. For regular updates follow the library on Facebook and Twitter.

The libraries in the Cooperative Information Network - that includes the Coeur d'Alene Public Library - now offer access to free downloadable music through its member websites.
Through the Freegal Music Service CIN patrons can access more than 3 million songs, including the Sony Music catalog of artists. Choices include more than 10,000 music labels from 65 different countries.
Under the terms of the agreement with the Library Ideas network, registered CIN card holders can download up to three Freegal Music tracks in the MP3 format each week at no direct cost. The library will underwrite the purchase of the music that the card holders may then keep.
In order to access the music, patrons will need to download free mobile apps from such sites as the Apple App Store and Google Play. The Freegal website can also be accessed through the websites of CIN member libraries or through the main CIN website: www.cinlibraries.org.
The  libraries of CIN share a computer catalog, circulation services and a common library card in order to provide patrons in North Idaho and eastern Washington with better and more convenient access to library services and materials.  
Library Ideas is a global leader in providing digital content to all kinds of libraries, and is located in Fairfax, Va. 
Sony Music Entertainment is a global recorded music company with a current roster that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars. For more information call or visit you local CIN library. For a listing of CIN libraries visit the CIN website.

 Click on the photo for a message from Miner Mike about Summer Reading.

What should the City focus on in the 2013-14 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1? City Council and staff will take that up today during a strategic planning workshop at 1:30 in the Library Community Room. The meeting is open to the public, but if you can't make it and want to weigh in, you can share your thoughts on the City's Facebook page at CDAgov.

Share your input

View the workshop agenda

In case you missed Tuesday’s City Council meeting, here are highlights:
Anti-discrimination ordinance passesCity Council passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Council voted 5-1 for the ordinance, which imposes criminal penalties on violators.
Tunnel under Front Avenue approvedCouncil approved an underground easement for a pedestrian tunnel under the Front Avenue sidewalk to access the property at 401 Front Avenue, currently the Bank of America building. The tunnel will be similar to the one the city allowed under Ironwood Drive. The property owner will be responsible for all costs associated with the tunnel.
Council wants more planning for CDA Lake Drive Council rejected the transfer of a five-mile portion of Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive from the Idaho Department of Transportation. Instead, Council directed staff to work with IDT and all agency stakeholders, including the Eastside Highway District and other neighboring property owners, on a master plan for the corridor. City staff will bring the plan back to the Council for reconsideration.

The Coeur d’Alene Parks Department is hosting “The Iron Kids Fun Run” on June 20th at 6:00 p.m. in Coeur d’Alene City Park. This event, traditionally held on the Thursday before the Ironman competition, is a one mile fun run for kids up to 14 years old. Parents are welcome to run with their small children. The entry fee is $5 per child and all proceeds go to the Parks Department to help fund trails and bikeways. Each child will receive an Iron Kids T-Shirt and a medal for participating in the event. Register online at www.cdaidparks.org or at the Parks Department counter in City Hall at 710 East Mullan Avenue in Downtown Coeur d’Alene. Pre-Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 19th at 5 p.m. Postmark deadline is Thursday, June 13th.

The CDA 2030 Community Visioning Project is seeking a Project Manager (PM) to provide creative leadership and management for the community-wide project in 2013-2014.
CDA 2030 is a comprehensive planning process that will seek input and enable participation from the public in order to develop a unified community vision and action plans, including specific projects to help achieve this vision. The Project is planned to last 12 months. 
The project manager will direct the process under the guidance of a Project Coordinating Group comprised of representatives from the University of Idaho, North Idaho College, Lewis Clark State College, Kootenai Health, the City of Coeur d'Alene, Jobs Plus, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce and Avista. Surveys, community events, and other collaborative meetings are planned to get input from citizens on their vision for Coeur d'Alene in 2030.
“This is an exciting first step towards the kickoff of the visioning project,” said Dr. Charles Buck, AVP UI-North Idaho and the leader of the PCG.  “The responses we have received to the proposed visioning project show that the community is hungry for the opportunity to get involved in planning Coeur d’Alene’s future.”
Deadline for applications for the position is June 3, 2013.  More information regarding CDA 2030 and details of the position including pay and expected hours are available from Charles Buck; buck@uidaho.edu.

Use this area to offer a short preview of your email's content.View this email in your browserPrime ParkingParking plan features more than 500 spaces
When McEuen and Front Avenue are finished, there will be plenty of prime parking. The two-level parking garage will provide both covered and uncovered parking. The upper level has angled parking along Front Avenue between Third and Seventh streets. All in all, there will be about 228 covered parking spaces, 203 uncovered spaces and 19 boat spaces. Angled parking spaces number about 79. 

Construction statusThe South Trail at the base of Tubbs Hill is paved. Crews are now working on building park trails. Fine grading continues as does work on the back wall of the parking structure. Workers are also installing the water main from the Harbor House to the Pavilion. The irrigation main is also being installed. Who to contact
CNI Construction Manager
Bryan Taylor, 667-2456
bryan@contractorsnorthwest.com
City Project Manager: Dennis Grant
(O) 769-2398 (C) 661-8834
dennisg@cdaid.org
City Parks Director: Doug Eastwood
769-2252, dougeast@cdaid.org Access to businesses
Beginning 9 p.m. Monday, May 27, Sherman Avenue will be closed from Second to Fourth Street as part of the Third Street improvement project. The road will re-open June 14, in time for Car d’Alene. This is work that was scheduled for July. Crews will install new stormwater manholes and a stormwater main down the center of Third Street from Front Avenue to the alley north of Sherman.

Business will remain open.  

• The construction site is off limits to the public. For your safety, please do not enter the site even if gates are open.

• The Third Street boat launch will close June 1 and reopen Sept. 30.Click here for nearby launches.

• There is plenty of parking downtown! Free spots are at the new lot at City Hall and at Memorial Field along Northwest Boulevard. Click here for a parking and traffic map.

The library will be closed Sunday and Monday, May 26 and 27, in obervance of Memorial Day. Regular hours resume at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
When the library is closed some services are still availabl 24-7 through the website: cdalibrary.org.With your library card number and last name you can access your library account to check on due dates and fines, place holds, and update your contact information.Using the OverDrive system you can download e-books and e-audio books.The website also offers a variety of online resources such as reference materials, free e-books for children, career information, practice tests, auto maintenance manuals, and travel information. Most of these resources require a user name and/or password. These can be obtained by visiting or calling the library during open hours.

As part of the McEuen Park Reconstruction Project, improvements to Third Street will begin at 9:00 p.m. on Monday evening, May 27th, with the installation of traffic signage and closing of Sherman Avenue from 2nd Street to 4th Street. The contractor will then begin milling asphalt from Front Avenue to the alley north of Sherman Avenue on 3rd Street that evening and into Tuesday morning. This portion of the project should end with the finishing of paving on Thursday, June 13th. Third Street will be open for Car d’Lane on Friday, June 14th.

During this three week period the contractor will be installing new stormwater manholes and 36” stormwater main down the center of Third Street from Front Avenue to the alley north of Sherman Avenue. The boat launch will still remain open until June 1st.

For more information, call Dennis Grant, Project Manager, at 769-2398.

On Monday, May 27, 2013, Coeur d’Alene City Hall will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. Other city offices and facilities will be closed as well. Emergency calls for Police, Fire, and Streets can be made by dialing 9-1-1. Other city facilities have emergency numbers and can be reached if the need arises: Sewer Back-up 769-2241 and Water 755-9729.

City of Coeur d'Alene garbage pickup will be delayed by one day due to the Memorial Day holiday. If your garbage is normally picked up on Monday, it will be picked up on Tuesday.

City Hall and other city facilities will open Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. For more information, please call 769-2300.