Ignite cda seeks project input

Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, ignite cda, is seeking public input on two competing mixed-use developments proposed for midtown.

Applicants presented their plans to ignite cda’s board of directors on Wednesday.

Located on the 800 block of north Fourth Street in the heart of midtown, each proposal includes mixed-use commercial space and residential units along with public open space and parking.

“We have two very viable, very good projects. There’s no reason we couldn’t pursue either of these,” said ignite cda board member Sarah Garcia, who served on an ignite cda ad-hoc committee formed to review the proposals.

The first proposal, offered by John Beutler, owner of Century 21-Beutler & Associates in Coeur d’Alene, includes two buildings each with 3,000 square feet of commercial space at street level and 16 residential units on two floors above.

Beutler’s proposal also includes 4,300 square feet of public open space and 23 redesigned public parking spaces. An additional 48 parking spaces would be provided for residents and patrons of the development.

The other proposal, offered by Dean Pape of the Boise firm DeChase-Miksis, includes one building with 6,000 square feet of street-level commercial space and 42 residential units above. The plan also designates about 5,000 square feet for public open space and approximately 42 parking spots for building occupants.

Under each proposal construction would occur in phases but must be complete within three years to be eligible for ignite cda incentives because the agency’s Lake District, which includes midtown, is set to expire in 2021.

Over the next two weeks, ignite cda is seeking “productive and specific” feedback on the proposals. “Something that will help us make a decision and support (the agency’s) goals,” Garcia said.

The midtown proposals can be reviewed on ignite cda’s website, ignitecda.org. Written comments can be delivered to the ignite cda office 105 N. First St. Suite 100 in downtown Coeur d’Alene, or emailed to executive director Tony Berns at tonyb@ignitecda.org.

The ignite cda board is expected to select a plan at its next board meeting March 20.