COEUR d'ALENE — The Seltice Way revitalization project includes a proposal for a mixed-use development on the old Stimson Mill site.

Plans for the development were discussed during a public forum held Wednesday at Frontier Ice Arena.

The meeting attracted more than 100 people and gave them a chance to weigh in on the $4.5 million revitalization project.

Primarily funded by the city of Coeur d'Alene's urban renewal agency, the project calls for a new asphalt road surface, pedestrian and bicycle access, and reconfigurations of Seltice at the intersections of Atlas Road and Grand Mill Lane.

Matt Gillis, senior project manager at Welch Comer Engineers, began the meeting with a presentation on the major components of the revitalization efforts.

Gillis told attendees that each component of the project aims to balance easy access with safety, and presented the public with two options for how cyclists and pedestrians will utilize the revamped corridor. One plan, Gillis said, involves a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as a traditional bike lane for more experienced cyclists on each side of the four-lane road.

The other option, Gillis said, will separate the on-road bike lane from the motoring public through the use of concrete curbs. The downside to this plan, he added, is the separation would not allow for motorists to pull to the side of the road to make way for emergency vehicles.

In addition to pedestrian and bike access, Gillis focused his presentation on a yet-to-be made decision for the intersection of Atlas Road and Seltice Way. He described the current configuration of the intersection, and the hazards it poses, and also showed sped up footage to demonstrate the high-vehicle traffic in the area. Officials and project engineers have determined they can either build a traditional, signaled intersection or construct a two-lane roundabout.

"I expect there to be some push back on the roundabout," Gillis said. "It's new to this area and, anytime we deal with something new, there is going to be some concern."

Gillis added that, according to his firm's analysis, a roundabout would be safer, more cost effective, and provide for more landscaping and public art opportunities.

The goal, according to Gillis, is to begin construction on the project in spring and continue throughout the summer months.

"It's going to be a busy summer," Gillis added.

The event also gave attendees a first-look at the planned, mixed-use development called “River 47 CDA.” Land for the proposed development, which will be located at the former Stimson Mill site south of Seltice Way, has not been purchased yet, and project manager Jeremy Voeller told the audience the concept map they were viewing was “hot off the presses.”

Voeller detailed some of the plans for the development, which include single-family homes, commercial areas, public park and pool, and a “major focus” on waterfront access. A 16-foot-wide path for pedestrians and cyclists, he added, is planned to cross through the middle of the development.

“We want to create something that’s going to bring a lot of people in and create a nucleus,” Voeller said.

Following the presentations, attendees were given the opportunity to provide input and ask questions to various officials regarding the project. Colored stickers were also handed out prior to the event, which allowed attendees to mark on a poster which version of the pedestrian and bicycle access they would like to see on Seltice Way.

Kyle Nagel and Jason Evans, two avid cyclists from Coeur d'Alene, told The Press they attended the event because they were curious to see how the planned revitalization incorporated cycling into a high-traffic corridor.

"It's nice to see a visual representation of the ideas. This was very well organized and they put a lot of good information out there," Nagel said, noting he prefers the discussed option of having a bike lane that is separated from vehicles.

"None of the ideas seemed crazy, they all look to be very plausable," Evans added. "I'm really curious to know how the area will be developed in the next 20 years, and if what they're planning here will meet the needs of cyclists and pedestrians who live in the area."

As the open house portion of the forum was winding down, Gillis told The Press the next step in the process is taking the input gathered from attendees and then balancing that with his company's engineering expertise to make a determination as to the project's final design.

"I was very encouraged by the turnout we had tonight," he added. "It's great to see that people care about what's going on."