News from North Idaho in the past few days:
1.Trolley service plans are moving ahead, more planned projects in Riverstone
Plans for downtown trolley advance
By RICK THOMAS
COEUR d'ALENE -- While plans are moving ahead to begin a free trolley service between downtown and Riverstone by next summer, other major planned and rumored projects in the newer development are well in the future.
Dave Tomson, development manager for Riverstone, said in spite of persistent rumors, there are no plans for a resort or convention center in the present development.
"I've heard that before," he said. "Anything of that nature would be in phase three, where the pit is."
A rumor that Riverstone developer John Stone and Black Rock's Marshall Chesrown were partnering to build a resort-style convention center is being denied.
Tomson said even the fitness center Stone has said he intends to build in Riverstone is well down the road, as they continue to complete phase two, which includes The Village at Riverstone.
The first building of that mixed-use commercial and residential project is well under way, with the first residents expected to move in by January, Tomson said.
Building A, with 51 units, is about three-fourths sold, and the second and third buildings are also garnering interest. In all, 139 residential units ranging from one- to three-bedroom flats to two-story condominiums are planned.
"Sales are doing remarkably well, especially considering the national condo trend," Tomson said. "This development is unique enough to maintain interest."
He said specific plans for phase three, where the former Central Pre-Mix gravel pit is being filled, have not been determined.
Plans for a shuttle between Riverstone and downtown are moving forward, however.
Tomson said with more residents and businesses in Riverstone, and more people moving downtown, the shuttle would be welcomed as a convenient way for tourists and locals to get around.
"We'll be working on it during the winter," he said.
Link-
http://www.cdapress.com/articles/200...ews/news02.txt
2. Workforce housing in midtown Cd'A is planned
LCDC, IHFA to partner on housing
By LUCY DUKES
COEUR d'ALENE -- The Lake City Development Corporation has formally agreed to work with the Idaho Housing and Finance Association to create workforce housing in midtown.
If the development goes through, Housing and Finance's development arm, The Housing Company, will construct street level retail and office space, with workforce housing on upper floors. Other details have not yet been determined.
Link-
http://www.cdapress.com/articles/200...ews/news05.txt
3. Completion of the Kroc Community Center has been pushed back to the spring of 2009
Kroc Center completion delayed
By LUCY DUKES
COEUR d'ALENE -- The Kroc Center projected completion date has been pushed back from the end of 2008 to the spring of 2009.
"What we said a year ago was our best guess," said Major John Chamness, Inland Northwest coordinator for the Salvation Army.
"Our best guess now is early spring of 2009," he said.
Work at the site on Ramsey and Golf Course Road started about a month after groundbreaking this summer. However, the project won't forge ahead full-steam until November because architects, engineers and consultants have not yet finished detailed plans, said Salvation Army project manager Steve Walker.
The $35 million building will be 123,000 square feet, with a competition pool and leisure pool, gymnasium, fitness center, rock climbing pinnacle, indoor playground, chapel, indoor track, recording studio, meeting and event space and more.
Link-
http://www.cdapress.com/articles/200...ews/news02.txt
4. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the $90 million Sandpoint highway bypass, few hurdles remain
Corps OKs Sandpoint highway project
Becky Kramer
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has given approval to a $90 million highway project that will route U.S. 95 traffic away from Sandpoint’s city streets.
The draft permit, released late Friday, is one of the final hurdles for the long-awaited Sand Creek Byway project, which was first proposed by state engineers in the 1950s.
Instead of channeling heavy truck traffic through the resort town on Lake Pend Oreille, a new section of Highway 95 will cross Sand Creek and follow the railroad tracks on the creek’s eastern edge. The 2.1-mile bypass will reconnect with the existing highway north of town.
If the Transportation Department agrees to the corps’ conditions, the corps will issue a final permit allowing ITD to conduct the work in Sand Creek needed to build the bypass.
The Sand Creek Byway has sparked controversy and litigation for years.
U.S. 95 – the state’s main north-south highway – cuts through Sandpoint’s downtown, where a series of 90-degree turns snarl traffic, leading to congestion and long waits. The route is heavily used by locals, skiers headed to Schweitzer Mountain Resort, pedestrians and summer tourists.
Last fall, elected officials from North Idaho urged state and federal agencies to speed up approval for the bypass, citing public safety concerns. But opponents said the new highway would jeopardize water quality, wildlife and the aesthetic look of Sandpoint’s historic downtown.
Link-
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/break...y.asp?ID=11649
5. Red Robin is coming to Riverstone
Link-
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/local....asp?ID=210775