Whitefish looks to add parking near City Beach

The city of Whitefish is set to go out for bids for construction of new parking near City Beach.

The city is reconstructing a two block section of Woodland Place between Washington Avenue and Oregon Avenue to create 24 parking spaces. The plan is to have the parking completed by the end of May.

City Council recently approved advertising for bids on the project, which is estimated to cost about $235,000.

Whitefish purchased the lot at 55 Woodland in 2015 with the intent of creating parking. The city has historically had an issue with parking congestion at City Beach on Whitefish Lake.

The city had originally planned to create a parking lot on the site, but because of the city’s setback requirements the number of spaces would be very limited.

Instead the city will create perpendicular on-street parking, Public Works Director Craig Workman said, essentially converting a portion of the lot into road right-of-way and gaining 17 additional parking spaces.

The plan calls for reconstructing Woodland Place between Oregon and the alley, and reconstructing Woodland Place between Washington Avenue and the alley. Work includes pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalk, retaining walls and landscaping.

An extension of the shared use path along Oregon Avenue to serve as a connection from the Skye Park Bridge to City Beach is also part of the project.

Creating additional parking for the park is one of the Council goals for fiscal year 2019.