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Sandpoint staff finalizes downtown parking-lot design to preserve trees; two new plantings planned after construction
Summary
City staff presented final drawings for the downtown parking-lot project showing preserved tree islands, curb pours around tree wells and two additional trees to be planted after asphalt work; bids are due April 3 and a special City Council meeting is scheduled April 9 to award the contract.
City staff reported that final drawings for the downtown parking-lot reconstruction include the tree protections the Sandpoint Urban Forestry Commission requested and that contractors showed strong interest at a recent pre-bid meeting.
Eric Bush, city staff liaison, said the design “included everything that the final motion landed on that was included for saving trees,” and described enlarged planting islands, poured curbs around tree wells to reduce tire tracking, and retention of several existing trees. Bush said two additional trees will be planted (one near the western-central portion and one at the southwest corner) but that those plantings are not included in the current construction bid and will be installed by a tree company or nursery after paving is finished.
Bids are due April 3. Bush said the city requested a special City Council meeting for April 9 to approve the award earlier than the next regular council meeting in order to meet schedule constraints and “get this project done before May” when wetter weather often arrives. He told the commission that the schedule remains on track to finish before mid-May “short of weather concerns.”
Commissioners discussed island sizes and the possibility of upsizing tree wells if bids come in under budget. Bush said the bid was structured to control costs and that any enlargement of curbs or islands would depend on available budget flexibility after bids are received. He also said the city typically does not have asphalt or excavation contractors plant trees and that a specialized tree company will be hired to plant the two additional specimens after construction.
The commission and staff also discussed snow-plow access; the design omits bumper blocks and is intended to allow plows to push snow east–west through the lot. Commissioners agreed the southwest corner island should match the size of three larger existing islands if budget allows.
No formal action was taken by the commission on this item; staff requested feedback and confirmed schedule milestones.
Ending: Staff will return to the commission with specific species choices and a procurement update after the April 3 bid opening and the April 9 council award.
