Independence Point: Transformation to handicapped-accessible beachfront. Why would anyone want to park cars there?

Many an activity occurring downtown or near Independence Point has not been accessible to us because there are not enough handicapped parking spaces. Widmyer stated that with council approval the city could begin construction as early as the fall; no mention of public comment or better yet a vote. The concept could include a ramp to the water and custom deck, a drop-off lane, and about a dozen handicapped parking spaces — really? Read on and you will find what we suspect is the master plan behind “title of serving the handicapped.” You will find that the direction may really be to connect the Centennial Trail from Higgens Point to access the Spokane River, on to Riverstone and onward to Spokane.

However none of this in true reality is meant to better serve the handicapped — none. We’ve already lost parking spaces to the east that is now grass - would it not have been a better service to the handicapped to provide more parking designated there for them? A handicapped gentleman who must walk with a cane because of nine major back surgeries does not find this amusing or true to the purpose. Very little else is afforded him (and many others) than to have the privilege to park at Independence Point and engage in cruises on the lake or rides on the float plane.

This speaks self-serving purpose, not accessibility, to the real handicapped!

JOHN and BETTY MARTIN

Coeur d’Alene