Controversial Park Comes To Light, But Where's The Money Coming From?

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho- The McEuen Park project has been years in the making and was even one of the main reasons the Mayor and 3 Coeur d'Alene city council members were facing a recall election. Recently, the winning bid of $14.8 million went to Northwest Contractors Inc. to complete the city's vision of the project. This week the city set a budget of $20.2 million to complete the project. The difference between the bid and the budget is in the details.   City leaders say the costs are for park features, such as equipment for the park's water splash pad, garbage cans and park benches. None of which are being paid for by the contractor. The money also includes building fees and $1.9 million for the parks designers: Team McEuen. Plus a $1.2 million dollar contract for the east parking lot and nearly $850,000 towards the Local Improvement District. The park's cost city leaders say is not coming from any new taxes so where is it coming from? Here's a breakdown of the 9 different funding sources:       $15.6 Million- Urban Renewal Fund     $1.3 Million- The City Overlay Fund     $950,000 - Parking Fund User Fees     $800,000 - Parks Capital Improvement Fund     $845,000- Local Improvement District Program     $470,000 - City Fund Balance     $160,000 - Miscellaneous Donations     $ 68,000 - Dog Park Association     $7,000 - Avista Relicensing Grant   Source: City Administrator/City Records