Two developers, one from Coeur dAlene and the other from Santa Barbara, Calif., plan to transform a trailer park and some mostly vacant land just north of Interstate 90 in Coeur dAlene into a big commercial development that would include a hotel, restaurants, a strip mall, and office buildings.


The two developers, Dennis Cunningham II, of Coeur dAlene, and William Gustafson, of Santa Barbara, have founded a Coeur dAlene company called The Crossing LLC, which has bought the proposed 17.6-acre development site. The site is located east of the Coeur dAlene Golf Course and west of Ramsey Road, just northwest of the I-90/Northwest Boulevard interchange.


The company bought the property from the Lee and Goodlander families, of Coeur dAlene, for an undisclosed amount.


Cunningham and Gustafson say they hope to start cleaning up the property in June and soon after begin constructing roads and utilities there. Depending on how long it takes for the city of Coeur dAlene to approve the project and for tenants or buyers to be found, it could be 18 months before any structures are built, Cunningham says.


Its also not clear how many buildings might be included in the development, or how much it will cost to complete. Well lease, sell, or build to suit, he says.


Weve had plenty of interest (in the property), says Cunningham. Were waiting on city approval. He says they hope to have the land surveyed this fall.


The land is zoned commercial. The citys Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on June 8 to consider the project.


Were going to spend about $1 million right away on cleaning up the site and preparing the roads, says Cunningham.


The proposed development would be divided into 13 parcels, and the company plans to build a series of private roads within the development to connect them. It also plans to pay for the construction of a public road that would connect Appleway Avenue, which snakes through the development site, to Golf Course Road, just north of the property.


Among the projects in the proposed development, Cunningham would like to see a three-story hotel, which would accommodate between 90 and 120 guests, built where the trailer park currently is located, along Appleway West. Residents of the longtime trailer park have been told by The Crossing LLC that theyll need to move by Aug. 15.


Of the 24 trailers and campers in the park, six already have been removed, says Cunningham.


Cunningham moved to Coeur dAlene three years ago from California. He says he has more than 15 years of development experience in commercial and residential projects, including development of travel-service centers with hotels, restaurants, and service stations.


Gustafson says he has 25 years of experience in developing commercial and residential properties.


He has offices in San Diego and the Los Angeles area.