CONSTRUCTION: Shield the view

Greetings. I am writing concerning all the downtown construction. Albeit for me to try to stop progress, but can’t it be made less obvious? I’ve noticed open chain link fence around projects on Sherman Avenue and right through them you can see construction carnage. Contractors are happy to hang banners to advertise their businesses participation in the building. The rest of the view is ungodly ugly. This is right across from our public beach.

There is nothing more soothing to walk down Coeur d’Alene’s charming Sherman Avenue headed for the water on vacation, only to be met by a massive hole in the ground littered with construction. Same goes for the other site at the top of Sherman by McEuen Park and Tubbs Hill. These eyesore’s detract from the vibe of our historic downtown.

Now I am not suggesting we halt construction, but a better solution to keeping downtown looking good. If I were a tourist it would be a big turn off seeing these horrendous sites. A simple fix at low cost to the developers, screening around the fencing so that people don’t have to see the carnage while the buildings are being constructed. I noticed that the construction trailers on Second and Sherman have them, why not the site.

The question is, do these developers think that these sites look appealing to tourists, one of our leading forms of income to our community? What is a little money to shield the view. I live here and am disgusted when I go downtown.

JAY BROWN

Coeur d’Alene