Whitefish to vote on downtown project

The Daily Inter Lake

The Whitefish City Council turns its focus tonight to downtown issues.

Most importantly, the council is poised to culminate years of planning by deciding whether to move forward with authorizing construction bids for the first phase of the downtown infrastructure project. If approved, construction will begin after Labor Day this year.

The reconstruction of Central Avenue, including rebuilding of the street and sidewalks, will be done in phases in the fall and spring through the spring of 2012, leaving the prime tourism season of July and August construction-free for visitors.

Ryan Mitchel of Robert Peccia and Associates will update the council on the project.

Although a recent petition drive gathered more than 600 signatures from Whitefish residents concerned about various aspects of the project, the city staff is recommending the council proceed with bid advertising.

The council also will discuss parking options during the Central Avenue construction, including details of leased parking in the new parking lot to be constructed at the corner of Second Street and Spokane Avenue.

Two public hearings are on the agenda. The first is a request for a special event permit to conduct five-day poker tournaments in May and October at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

The second hearing concerns a resolution authorizing a Community Development Block Grant application in connection with the Whitefish Housing Authority and the neighborhood stabilization program.

The council will consider adopting a weed management plan.

During a work session from 6:30 to 7 p.m., the council will hold an executive session closed to the public to discuss litigation updates and strategies with the city attorney.

The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m at Whitefish City Hall.