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Up until recently, the 6.4-acre patch of land near the old site of Liberty
Lake City Hall has not drawn much attention.
In the summer, the space
serves as the backyard for the local farmer's market, a collection of booths neatly
arranged in a small parking lot. By the time the produce is ready next year, the
grounds to the east could be the home of a state-of-the-art urban square.
Last
Tuesday, the Liberty Lake City Council heard an update on the landscaping portion
of the project that will eventually include a municipal library and various city
offices including a public safety building. Local architect Gary Bernardo and
Bill LaRue of Hatchmueller PC, a planning and landscaping group from Coeur d'Alene,
provided an overview of the initial design, a park-like area that will act as
the framework for Liberty Lake's new civic epicenter.
Bernardo talked
about focusing on how the urban square "fits into some of the other components
the city might have" such as Pavillion Park.
Elements of the open
space plan include ideas such as a small amphitheater, a clock tower or water
feature and a "heritage wall" that would pay tribute to Liberty Lake's
history. Initially, a "founder's corner" had been slated for an area
near Country Vista Road, but Doug Smith, the city's planning and community development
director said the idea was shifted to the urban square "so people could actually
walk around and appreciate it."
LaRue described the endeavor as
"a kickstart project" that would build local enthusiasm for the building
portion of the plan. There has been conversation about sending the project out
to bid in February, finalizing contracts in March and being ready to start construction
in April.
Smith has described the land near Meadowwood Lane and Signal
Road as "the center of the community, geographically." Council Member
Judi Owens said she was looking forward to developing the property into a community
gathering place.
"It's a big lot that has nothing but weeds on
it for quite a while," she said. "It's time to utilize it."
Hatchmueller
has been involved in a number of regional projects including site work on the
new Coeur d'Alene Municipal Library. LaRue talked about how the Liberty Lake design
could include an array of ash and red oak trees, street and light fixtures with
a "durable and contemporary" look and stamped, colored concrete such
as the kind seen on Northwest Boulevard in Coeur d'Alene.
Funding for
the urban square will come from the city's capital projects budget. Smith said
the ballpark estimate for the project is approximately $500,000. At a meeting
earlier this year, council member supported the idea of locating the library and
civic center buildings on the southeast portion of the property and making the
structures part of one congruent venue Smith has said the community center could
serve as an indoor option to Pavillion Park, a 14-acre park that hosts a busy
schedule of activities in the summer.
"A city is formed around
public squares," Peterson said. "And I think this is a reflection of
that formation."
City officials paid visits to community groups
like the Kiwanis, Rotary and local PTSA to gather feedback about the design. A
public meeting was held earlier in the year to continue the collaborative process.
Owens
and others talked about how the urban square - which may be ready for use as early
as next summer - will serve a valuable purpose in building interest for the next
phase of the project. A bond of between $4 million to $6 million will likely be
required for the construction of the library and other community buildings.
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By
Craig Howard
