Feedback on Sandpoint park site concepts

Downtown Waterfront For purposes of this study, the Downtown Waterfront is defined as both sides of Sand Creek from the Hwy 95 Bypass bridge north to the Cedar Street Bridge. The east side of this channel incorporates the gateway to City Beach and shoreline improvements completed during the construction of the bypass in 2008 that included the Sand Creek Trail, public art, landscape enhancements, lighting, shoreline access/seating areas, and development of a 32-stall public parking lot/trailhead south of Bridge ST. The west side has an elevated pier supported, pedestrian boardwalk/boat tie-up dock that is a 1000 ft in length, extending from Oak ST to the south side of the Sandpoint Marina. It provides a pleasant waterfront pathway and boater access to the downtown. A ramp/stair structure on the north end of this boardwalk provides for an accessible route to the waterfront and is used as a launch site for paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. Pedestrian connectivity to City Beach is via a pedestrian bridge that parallels Bridge ST or utilizing the Cedar Street Bridge to the north to access the east shore and the Sand Creek trail. Access from the boardwalk to Bridge ST and City Beach is only accessed by negotiating a steep grade through the parking/access drive.

Waterfront property with public access directly adjacent a downtown, is rare in any community. It brings with it the opportunity for increased activities, water access, and enhanced aesthetics that most Cities and towns can only aspire to. But like many communities, Sandpoint has not taken full advantage of this remarkable asset. Businesses along the western shore have mostly neglected to use this waterfront to their full advantage other than for vehicular access and parking. It is currently unorganized and unkempt with a degraded alley-like appearance from Cedar ST to Bridge ST.

To encourage economic development within the downtown, the Concept plan suggests that property owners (from Cedar ST to Bridge ST along 1st Avenue) should explore development opportunities to the east, expanding structures with increased square footage and orientation to Sand Creek. The natural grade change from 1st Avenue to the access road would allow for two levels of increased square footage, or an upper expansion with open or enclosed parking below. Except for a conceptual mixed use development currently proposed to replace structures on the SW corner of Bridge ST and 1st Avenue that were recently destroyed by fire, no properties have looked to have any significant orientation to the waterfront or expand to their eastern property line.

The Farmin’s Landing property that extends from Bridge ST north to the Panida Theater along Sand Creek’s west shore has long been viewed as an underutilized section of waterfront. Past studies have suggested that it could provide an enhanced public space with increased access to Sand Creek. Both vehicular and pedestrian access from 1st Avenue is from Oak ST where a colorful gateway arch denotes the entry and acts as a public art piece. Access from Bridge ST utilizes a steep drive with no sidewalk. It can be difficult to negotiate during winter months and allows for limited views of oncoming, eastbound traffic. In 2018 Consultants were retained by the City to evaluate Farmin’s Landing as a potential site for an underground collection/treatment location for downtown stormwater prior to being released to Sand Creek. The plan incorporated limited pedestrian improvements while retaining 27 car parks, and some seating. In response to this area being designated as a bike route, the plan proposed a 120 ft long ramp to negotiate the grade differences from the parking to Bridge ST. A stair was also proposed at the ramp’s south end.

Addressing the goal of creating recreational opportunities on publicly owned waterfront, the concept plan suggests that the redevelopment of Farmin’s Landing could be enhanced beyond the 2018 study recommendations. It envisions a small venue public gather spot be created by establishing the access road’s development incorporate a plaza-like feel, expanding seating and congregation space toward the water. The slope would be terraced with seat high walls facing the water, with stairs to negotiate the slope. To allow for more activity on the water the pier dock system would be expanded as a location for gatherings or performances, with special lighting features and seating. The existing non-motorized launch dock should be converted to accommodate ADA use. The pier supported boardwalk is proposed to expand northward, possibly as far as the hospital to accommodate more boat access to downtown. Improvements such as these would present a more festive and aesthetic view of the downtown from the Hwy 95 Bypass and provide a more fitting view for business and properties to orient toward. To accommodate business owners’ concerns of close proximity parking, the concept plan recommends improving and retaining 20 parking stalls. This should be considered a short-term solution with future studies initiated for development of a downtown parking facility to free up the waterfront from parking.

To maximize the value of publicly owned waterfront, the concept suggests that the existing 32-car parking lot on the east shoreline be converted to a use that is not fully focused on parking cars on the waterfront.  This location seems appropriate for consideration of a revenue generating concession, preferably water oriented, such as kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals. It would also be a logical location for an accessible launch. Or consider a public/private partnership development or long-term lease for possible retail use in this location. To increase connections to City Beach from this location the plan recommends creation of a public pier supported boardwalk that would follow the shoreline eastward below the Hwy 95 Bypass and railroad bridges for connection to the proposed boat launch area.

Lastly, there should be an emphasis put on the redevelopment of the intersection of Bridge ST and 1st Avenue as a city center orientation point and wayfinding route to City Beach. Special attention should be paid to vision triangles, truck turning radii, and consideration for reorientation of the parking in the lot on the SE corner of the intersection that serves retail.