SANDPOINT — After city staff shared focus areas for a project that will recuperate a three-block section of First Avenue in downtown Sandpoint, city councilors emphasized a desire to see the intersection of Bridge Street and First Avenue made safer and more efficient. 

City forester and project manager Erik Bush presented a general outline of the third phase of Sandpoint’s Downtown Revitalization initiative during a Sandpoint City Council meeting March 5. 

The primary objectives of the project, Bush said, are to improve utility infrastructure and pedestrian mobility on First Avenue south of Bridge Street and to reconfigure the intersections at Bridge Street and First Avenue as well as Lake Street and First Avenue. 

“We realize this is a really impactful project in the short term and the long term,” Bush said. “In the long term, we hope that it really makes Sandpoint even more attractive for visitors and everyone else.” 

The first and second phases of the project, completed in 2018 and 2020, centered on the downtown section of Cedar Street and the portion of First Avenue north of Bridge Street. Phase 3 will pick up where phase 2 left off and run south an undetermined distance.

“We're going to get as far south as our money allows us to,” Bush said. 

For the Lake and First junction, Bush said the city is considering installing a roundabout that will better facilitate both local traffic and visitors entering Sandpoint from Highway 95. 

At Bridge and First, Bush presented multiple concepts, including one that featured a dedicated bicycle track and prohibited north/south bound through traffic on First Avenue.

Councilor Pam Duquette told staff she wished to see improvements for cyclists approaching downtown from Bridge Street. 

“Biking is ridiculous right now on Bridge Street, so please make something that's safe and functional for adults and children,” she said. 

Councilor Rick Howarth urged staff to focus on practical improvements that won’t strain the city’s budget. 

“We have a tendency in this town to like very elaborate, expensive designs,” he said. “Let's go make sure that when we do designs, that they're cost effective as well. Nice but cost effective. You can do both.” 

Councilor Kyle Schreiber suggested that Sandpoint should consider acquiring the vacant lot at the northeast corner of the intersection to correct the troublesome junction once and for all. 

“As soon as that hole gets filled, it's not going to be a hole again for a very long time,” Schreiber said. “Rather than spending a whole lot of money to fix an inadequate intersection, perhaps we should look at realigning that intersection.” 

Bush told attendees that city staff will begin soliciting bids for an official design this spring, and that the design phase will last through 2025 and most of 2026. 

Sandpoint Mayor Jeremy Grimm noted that with the bill for a new wastewater treatment plant looming, Downtown Revitalization Phase 3 could be among the last major city projects for several years.

“I'm super excited to proceed on this project,” Grimm told councilors. “This is pretty much it for the next three years.” 

    Sandpoint staff shared concepts for a redesigned intersection at Bridge Street and First Avenue during a March 5 city council meeting.