Design Updates
Rivers Edge Housing Community
Community Plans
New Proposal
The new plan would provide the public with a truly usable and enjoyable river-front esplanade. The 40-foot wide section means that the relocated trail would not merely provide a path for walking and biking, but would provide areas where people could stop to enjoy the waterfront with family. The central section of the esplanade, which is accessible not only from the path but from Seltice Way, would include a small amphitheater-style seating area, giving people a place to rest and enjoy the view of the river.The Spokane River is a tremendous recreational resource, and the developers of River’s Edge believe that that resource is one of the things that makes living in Coeur d’Alene so desirable.
Currently Approved
In the Atlas Mill development, there is a riverfront trail. On the U.S. Bank side of our property, there is also a trail, but it is set back from the river, running behind a row of riverfront houses and the U.S. Bank call center. It is not a very picturesque trail, to say the least; those who use it cannot see the river at all. Unfortunately, the River’s Edge trail would follow this pattern, routing the trail between another row of riverfront houses, a storage facility, and apartment parking lots. The new proposal would change all of this, and shift the trail to the river side of the development. It would give trail-users access to the river all the way from the west side of the development to the east side, where it would meet up directly with the Atlas Mill trail.
Changes in Function
The current development establishes a public walking/biking trail through the development, but the trail, as currently designed, runs between the garages of the proposed riverfront homes and apartment parking lots. Under this plan, the public only has access to a narrow trail, and those using this trail would not be able to see the river at all, except between houses or when the trail reaches the two public access lots. Essentially, as it currently stands, the trail would give users a view of cars and garages, and further create a safety hazard, as cars would have to cross the trail at certain points
Under the new plan, on the western edge of the property, the trail would turn directly south toward the river, and then run along the length of the property. Along the river, there would be a barrier wall to protect the property from flood. The trail would meander above the barrier wall, and establish four designated access points where people can step down to small beach areas directly on the river. In addition to the 40 foot-wide strip, all construction in the development would be set back from the river to a distance of 80 feet, which doubles the current development set-back of 40 feet. This additional set-back has several aesthetic benefits.
