COEUR d'ALENE — When it comes to the city of Coeur d'Alene's plans for Seltice Way, Sam Taylor said there is a vast difference between a reconstruction project and one that focuses on revitalization.

"This is a major gateway into the city of Coeur d'Alene, and we want to do it right the first time," Taylor, the city's deputy city administrator, added.

Planning for the revitalization efforts on Seltice Way are nearing completion, and Taylor said officials hope to begin the $4.5 million project, which is primarily being funded by ignite cda, next year. Prior to Wednesday's public meeting on proposed improvements to the old highway, The Press sat down with Matt Gillis, senior project manager at Welch Comer Engineers, for a look at where his company is in planning the revitalization.

"I think the city sees the potential in this corridor and wants to do their part in achieving that potential," Gillis said. "We want to make sure we don't just reconstruct what is there because really all we'd be getting is a smooth surface if we just did that — this is an opportunity to revitalize."

Gillis explained there are currently two active projects involving Seltice Way. The first, smaller project is federally funded and administered by the Idaho Transportation Department, Gillis said. Federal funds will be used to build a shared-use path on the south side of Seltice Way, beginning at Northwest Boulevard.

That pathway, according to Gillis, will connect to the larger, revitalization project that goes from Huetter Road to just past where the Centennial Trail goes under Seltice Way. The westbound and eastbound portions of the road will still have two lanes each, Gillis said.

"In addition to that, we are looking at some type of pedestrian and bicycle facility for both sides," Gillis added. "I don't know if it will be an on-street bike lane with a 10-foot wide shared use path, or some other arrangement. We need more input from the community on what they would use because the last thing we want to do is build a facility that people aren't going to use."

Two of the biggest components of the project, according to Gillis, will take place where Seltice Way intersects with Grand Mill Lane and Atlas Road. At the Grand Mill Lane intersection, Gillis said the plan is to completely start over from what he said is currently a "non-traditional, awkward" crossing.

"We are going to remove the median there, and bring the road together to create a more traditional, signalized intersection," Gillis added.

The intersection of Atlas Road and Seltice Way, Gillis said, has long been a source of safety concern for officials. Motorists heading south on Atlas have to make two major decisions should they wish to head eastbound on Seltice.

First, Gillis said they must find a break in westbound traffic so they can safely cross the two lanes. Second, motorists must determine if there is enough space on the connecting road for their vehicle to fit as they wait to turn left (eastbound).

"When you have to make those two decisions at once, that's a bad combination," he added.

Officials are unsure as to whether a traditional signal, or a roundabout, will be used at the intersection. According to Taylor, initial analysis indicates a roundabout would be more cost effective, reduce the severity of collisions, and allow for better traffic flow.

Concrete, which Gillis believes is the same material used when the road was originally constructed, will not be removed and brought to a landfill. Instead, the current plan is to crush up the original concrete, and use that material to construct the new road.

"Theoretically, I am very hopeful of this, we won't have to haul off any concrete and we will re-use it all," Gillis said. "It's the right thing to do."

Taylor told The Press ignite cda, the city's urban renewal agency, has allocated $3.5 million to the project, and city officials are exploring other funding opportunities for the estimated $1 million still needed to complete the project.

Members of the community are invited to attend a public meeting on the Seltice Way project on Sept. 28 at the Frontier Ice Arena, located at 3525 Seltice Way. Taylor said the meeting, which takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., will feature a presentation and open house.

"The city has also invited the potential developers of a new mixed-used development at the former Stimson Mill site to present a concept plan for the development to get community feedback," Taylor added. "While the land has not officially been sold to them yet, the potential builders want to ensure the public gets a view of the various public open space and trail opportunities that could occur if they choose to move forward on their 'River 47' project."

Representatives from the city, ignite, and Welch Comer will be on hand at the meeting to answer questions from the community. Both Taylor and Gillis told The Press community members are encouraged to provide input to officials during the meeting, particularly on the best way to incorporate bicycle and pedestrian lanes into the project