Help plan Cd'A for 2030
COEUR d’ALENE — Coeur d’Alene is about to be asked to celebrate its past and envision its future.
Beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 5, noted planner Steven Ames from Bend, Ore., will conduct several public meetings to start conversations with the community about the proposed update of the CDA 2020 visioning project.
The CDA 2020 visioning project began in 2000 when a group of citizens asked the community to share its vision for the Coeur d’Alene area for the next 20 years. Many people in the community feel that now is the time to revisit the 2020 goals and look farther into the future.
“While many of the community’s goals have been achieved and we have many successes to celebrate, the world has dramatically changed since 2000,” said Mayor Sandi Bloem in a press release. “We need to make sure we do everything we can today to position our community for a safe, healthy and prosperous future.
“We believe that Mr. Ames has the qualifications and experience to help our community create a shared vision for our future.”
Described as an “architect of public process,” Ames has been recognized for his work in community planning. He is the author of "A Guide to Community Visioning," published by the American Planning Association and innovator of the Oregon Model, a strategic approach to visioning employed by cities across the country.
Ames has advised two generations of visioning projects for the city of Portland, and worked with scores of other communities in Oregon and throughout the United States and the world. Among his recent award-winning projects is the Columbia Gorge Future Forum, a regional visioning process engaging the 13 communities and tribes of the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and Washington, and Bend 2030’s Accelerate Bend vision update process.
Following the presentation to City Council in the Community Room at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library at 6 p.m. Feb. 5, Ames will meet the following day with community leaders and interested citizens.
The first public presentation will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 at the Lake City Center, 1916 N. Lakewood Dr. A second presentation the same day will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles, 209 E. Sherman Ave. Both presentations will include time for audience questions. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in sharing their ideas for the future of the community.
If there is sufficient community support a multi-month visioning and planning project will begin this spring.
“This is just the beginning,” said Coeur d’Alene Planning Director Dave Yadon. “This process brings community members together to consider their common future and explore new ideas and possibilities. We know where we are. What do we want for our kids, grandkids and beyond?”
Info: Dave Yadon, 769-2270, Mike Gridley, 769-2330 or CDAVISION2020@cdaid.org, CDAVISION2020.blogspot.com