SANDPOINT — City staff revealed their public engagement plan for the Downtown Revitalization Phase No. 3 at the Jan. 7 City Council meeting.

The plan features two open houses held by the city, with the first scheduled for March following the completion of the 30% design drawings. This open house was moved at the council's request to allow the public to provide input while the project was still in the early design phase. 

“We expect the 30% drawings in early February, and we're hoping to have our first public open house within a few weeks after that,” Project Manager Erik Bush said. “That'll allow us to present that here at City Council and then be able to get feedback from the community at large.” 

The second open house takes place this summer, following the completion of the 90% design drawings. Bush said that scheduling is purposeful so the designs can incorporate public feedback quickly before the city begins construction, which staff expect to happen in September. 

Before that can begin, representatives from The Langdon Group, the city’s contracted outreach firm, will interview key stakeholders within the project footprint and downtown. Bush said the city staff will not be involved in these interviews to allow the interviewees to be honest about their feelings, not only about the third phase but also about how the city performed in the first and second phases. 

In addition, the city will form a technical advisory group composed of members of its committees and other identified stakeholders. This group is scheduled to meet three times this year, corresponding with the public open houses, until construction begins. 

“We're trying to kind of grab all the comments, all the impact that we can with those two structures,” Bush said. “I'll always be available for questions from you all, from any member of the community.” 

Once the engagement plan begins in March, TLG will launch a project website with more information and images for the public, similar to the city’s efforts with the wastewater treatment plan bond. Bush said city staff would also attend community events, such as the Sandpoint Farmers’ Market, to get the word out about the project. 

The third phase of the Downtown Revitalization project will span from Church Street to at least Lake Street on First Avenue. The project will widen sidewalks, improve street furniture and landscaping, provide parking upgrades, address stormwater treatment issues and bring more public art installations.     

“I definitely think that more communication with the public is better,” Councilor Kyle Schreiber said. “The last thing we want is to get to the finish line and have the public not support we come up with.”