City to host open house on Phase 3 downtown revitalization project
March 18, 2026
By Zach Hagadone Reader Staff
Sandpoint city officials are inviting area residents to an open house on Phase 3 of the ongoing downtown revitalization project, scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 at Sandpoint Community Hall (204 S. First Ave.).
Attendees are encouraged to drop in at any time between 4 p.m .and 7 p.m., when city staff and members of a team engaged by the city will be available to share details of the conceptual design for reconstruction projects from Church Street to Lake Street along First Avenue.
Work is expected to begin in the fall, funded primarily by the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency and the city’s water utility.
An aerial image of downtown Sandpoint showing Downtown Revitalization Phases 1-4. Courtesy image
The city has also requested $650,000 under a Community Development Block Grant to fund the design, purchase, transportation and installation of lighting, and amenities including benches, bike racks, flower basket hangers, trash cans and other additions — all matching previous phases of the revitalization effort. If possible, the area redeveloped in Phase 3 may include a covered bus stop.
Another grant of $1.8 million has been requested from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council to upgrade the Bridge Street and First Avenue intersection.
Goals of the long-running downtown revitalization project have been to enhance pedestrian safety and access, pedestrian amenities, trees and landscaping, sustainability, maintenance, parking, bicycle safety and access, character and identity, year-round activity and cost effectiveness.
Phase 1 included reconstruction of Cedar Street from Fifth to Second Avenue, and Phase 2 focused on First to Church, with work completed between 2018 and 2021.
According to the project schedule, public engagement efforts for Phase 3 will continue through mid-July — including another public meeting in May — with final design established between mid-June and mid-July, after which time the project will go out to bid.
The Sandpoint City Council is expected to receive updates on the project in mid-April and early June.
Construction work is estimated to begin around Labor Day and continue through October before pausing until the spring and summer of 2027.
Go to sandpointidaho.gov for more information.
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