LCDC: Stretching story of its impact

The Citizen Urban Renewal meeting on April 26 generated some surprising information about urban renewal impacts. In defense of urban renewal, Tony Berns, LCDC executive director was quoted in The Press the following day. He hinted Coeur d'Alene urban renewal was in part responsible for the developments at Gozzer Ranch, Black Rock and Hagadone Terraces. All are outside the urban renewal districts.

As the crow flies Gozzer and Black Rock are about 5 and 11 miles from Coeur d'Alene urban renewal districts, much farther by road. If the influence of urban renewal is so dramatic with such range, why isn't every storefront on Sherman Avenue and Northwest Boulevard occupied and thriving?

If it is true that Coeur d'Alene's urban renewal districts did in fact spur these developments Berns so proudly cited, is it also possible over development resulted in the financial collapse of Black Rock and problems at other local developments?

Force feeding private development with public tax dollars does not always generate success and accomplish the desired results for citizens. It is much like force feeding the goose to enlarge its liver for pate. The goose is obviously uncomfortable during the process and makes the ultimate sacrifice for a small amount of expensive pate de foie gras eaten by a very few people.

FRED EBEL

Post Falls