The City of Rathdrum City Council held an extended discussion of its downtown revitalization project on Oct. 23, reviewing project history, survey results, construction impacts and options for replacing removed trees.

City Administrator Leon presented a timeline and materials history for the downtown work, saying the revitalization began in 1999 and the city has performed repeated sidewalk grinding and repairs as tree roots lifted panels. Leon said the current project began in 2024 after public concern about sidewalk trip hazards and accidents, and that the city received a grant award on May 8, 2025 to fund infrastructure work.

Survey and grant context

Leon reported the city received 397 survey responses: 51.6% identified downtown parking as the highest need, 19.9% listed sidewalks and 10.8% listed trees. He said about $350,000 of grant funding covers infrastructure items (sidewalks, curbs and irrigation); beautification items such as decorative trees and hanging baskets are constrained by the grant rules.

Tree removals and engineering estimates

Contractor crews removed tree grates and tree wells as part of demolition. City engineer Kevin told the council that earlier metal culvert sleeves installed around tree wells had not prevented roots from heaving sidewalk panels. Kevin and staff presented rough engineering estimates prepared for the council: installing trees as part of initial construction would cost roughly $5,000 per tree (tree, planting and shallow work), while retrofitting and cutting concrete later would cost about $12,000 per tree.

Council members and residents discussed alternatives such as above-ground planter boxes, smaller ornamental trees, irrigation stubs at light poles and fake/ornamental trees to preserve downtown aesthetics without repeating root damage and ongoing grinding.

Construction impacts and business access

Council and staff acknowledged construction inconvenience for downtown businesses. Staff said contractors are required to provide temporary ramps and access; project managers attend daily coordination meetings and staff will publish a weekly project newsletter and post business-access guidance on city channels. Several business owners and residents spoke during public comment, expressing both concern about removed trees and appreciation for staff outreach.

Next steps and budgeting

Council did not take action at the meeting. Leon and staff were asked to prepare spring budget estimates and more detailed proposals (raised planters, irrigation stubs tied to light poles, or tree wells timed to future construction) and to return with options and costs during the next budget cycle.

Ending

The council left the project to proceed as approved while directing staff to develop lower-cost planting alternatives and to include options and cost estimates in next year27s budget process.