Coeur d' Alene - City of Resilience
The theme of the 2012 Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) Annual Conference, "Resilient Idaho Cities: Addressing Economic, Social and Environmental Challenges Together," invited city leaders to learn from each other's experiences. Cities were also asked to nominate their biggest successes. The City of Coeur d'Alene received Resilient City Awards for the following projects and programs:Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion supports energy efficiency
The WWTP has always utilized biogas to heat digesters and its solids building. The decision to extend the use of biogas to buildings in its expansion project was agreed upon by WWTP project members and their consultants. The cost to engineer and construct this feature was approximately $100,000. It took just under 213 days for the biogas to "pay" for the cost of the expansion. Former library is new H.E.L.P Center
In July 2009, Coeur d'Alene's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness met one of its goals - opening a "one-stop" center providing services to North Idaho's homeless. The former Coeur d'Alene Library building is now leased to St. Vincent de Paul for a below-market rate, having a new life as the Help Empower Local People (H.E.L.P.) Center. The center provides 15 essential social services in this one-stop facility. St. Vincent de Paul operates 7 buildings within 1 block of the center, making it central to its overall operations.Pilot study evaluates effluent technologies
In preparation for expansion and upgrades to the WWTP to respond to population growth and new effluent phosphorus limits, the city performed a pilot study employing three different technologies to determine which would best meet new standards. Tertiary Membrane Filter (TMF) is now in the design process because it reliably produced a lower phosphorus limit more consistently than the other technologies. By being prepared in advance for the potentially lower phosphorus limit, the city will save approximately $20 million dollars in future upgrades. Partnerships create opportunities
In 2002, Coeur d'Alene leaders believed that the area's evolving population would need living wage jobs - and that these would be best supported by a strong educational infrastructure. This belief was shared by leaders of local higher education institutions. In May 2002, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the City of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College, the University of Idaho, and the Lake City Development Corporation to develop a master plan for an education corridor along the Spokane River. Lewis-Clark State College later joined this planning effort.Affordable housing built through collaboration
In 2006, Coeur d'Alene partnered with the Lake City Development Corporation and the Idaho Housing & Finance Association to retain BBC Consulting & Research to identify its housing needs and community development goals. After completing the needs assessment, BBC had several recommendations. Among them: (1) develop more deeply subsidized rental units, and (2) receive a direct allocation of the Community Development Block Grant. The Lynn Peterson Home was opened May 2010 and the Kathy Reed House was opened March 2011. For more information, please call 769-2204.