POST FALLS - The Post Falls City Council will hold a public hearing tonight on a proposal to extend the life of an urban renewal district to fund an Interstate 90 overpass at Greensferry Road.

The proposal is to extend the expiration date of the East Post Falls Urban Renewal District from 2015 to 2022.

The council earlier this year agreed to consider the proposal again after turning it down nearly two years ago, partially because it involves federal property.

However, new life came when citizen and business surveys indicated strong support for the overpass aimed at creating another north-south passage across I-90 to enhance vehicle and pedestrian traffic and emergency response.

"Extending the district would allow for additional tax increment to assist with the proposed Greensferry overpass project," said Shelly Enderud, city administrator.

The Urban Renewal Agency in October adopted a resolution recommending the district's life be expanded.

The Planning and Zoning Commission endorsed the request in November and said the overpass is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan.

The overpass, which would be between the Highway 41 interchange and the westbound off ramp at Seltice Way, is a project in the URD's plan that was adopted in 2002.

The project was earlier estimated to cost $14 million for construction, $2 million for right of way acquisition and $1.2 million for preliminary and final engineering.

City and urban renewal officials have said construction could begin as early as 2014 if the URD life extension is approved.

The council will also consider an urban renewal plan to make improvements along Spokane Street from Fourth Avenue to the Spokane River bridge, including a signalized intersection, raised and landscaped medians and enhancements to the Centennial Trail crossing.

In other business, Dave Fair, the city's parks and recreation director, will give a report on a committee's findings and recommendation on the future of Post Falls Days. The June event is organized and sponsored by the parks and recreation department, but it has been questioned whether the festival is a justified use of funds during tough times.

The meeting starts at 6 at City Hall, 408 N. Spokane St.

A workshop on the water reclamation collection system master plan will be held at 5 p.m. in the recreation conference room on the first floor of City Hall. The council is expected to approve the plan during the regular meeting.