Sandpoint-area transit operator wins $100,000 urban renewal pledge for shelters and pads

Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency commissioners approved $100,000 on July 8 to support capital improvements for Spot/Spotvest bus stops in the agency’s northern district, after discussing legal limits on using urban renewal funds for operations and amending an initial $70,000 request.

The amount will be used to help pay for two transit shelters (locations discussed at Sixth Avenue near Super One and a second location) and three concrete pads including one near Spruce and Boyer for the alternative high‑school stop, agency staff and Spot representatives said.

The vote followed advice from the authority’s legal counsel that, under Idaho statutes, the agency cannot fund transit operations but may fund capital projects in the public right of way. Donna Griffin, executive director of Spotvest, described the request as a “$70,000 placeholder” while the operator finalizes routing and budgets; she said the group is requesting capital support now because federal and state matching grants will be easier to secure with local commitment. Griffin said the shelters themselves typically cost “about $30…35,000 a piece” and that adding electrical or other site work could raise costs by roughly $20,000.

Commissioners pressed on program details, local ridership and matching funds. Griffin said Sandpoint has committed roughly $105,000 toward Spot’s operations and that the operator still faces an operational shortfall of about $45,000; she also said advertising and sponsorships are expected to help close gaps. Griffin said the proposed capital pieces would support priority stops used by students and a local special‑needs group called PSNI.

Commissioner Pekoe moved to approve the $70,000 request; Commissioner Sabella seconded. Commissioners later approved an amendment to raise the allocation from $70,000 to $100,000; the amendment was moved and seconded and the board voted “Aye” with no recorded opposition. The board then voted to approve the amended amount. The record shows the board added a line item to the authority’s preliminary budget during the same meeting reflecting the $100,000 commitment.

The agency and Spot representatives discussed next steps: Spot will pursue matching funds through an existing shelter grant (which requires a local match) and obtain site quotes; staff said final project scopes and costs will be refined in the coming weeks and incorporated into final budgets. Officials also discussed timing: preliminary budgets are finalized in August and the agency expects to confirm routing and construction timing after partner jurisdictions complete their budgets.