THANKS: Defenders of Garden District

This letter is in response to the recent Coeur Voice article about the CDA Garden District. I was so pleased to read of the organization’s continued growth and possible application for inclusion on the Historic Register.

When I and a small set of neighbors started the group, our primary focus was removal of the many neighborhood drug houses, improved traffic control, zoning enforcement, and improving property values. I named the organization for our street, Garden Avenue, and also for one of my favorite places — the Garden District in New Orleans to reflect the many pretty gardens in our neighborhood. The license plate sign shown in the Coeur Voice article was purchased by our group years ago, and given free of charge to neighbors to mark participating properties.

It is with a grateful heart I thank Mr. Bob McAdams in particular for continuing this organization; seeing the name we created years ago in my living room now used in newspaper articles and other media is testament to his and others’ efforts after I had to leave downtown Coeur d’Alene.

While there is concern the District would be used as a marketing pitch for real estate sales, continued support of neighborhood safety, property improvements, and preservation of unique if not historical properties is encouraging.

CYNTHIA REYBURN

Hayden