CDA: Urban renewal works

Urban Redevelopment Districts work to the economic benefit of municipalities and counties across the country. That has been true in the city of Coeur d’Alene as evidenced by the Riverstone Development, McEuen Park and others. Each is located within the city limits but utilized by all Kootenai County residents.

Recently, I have heard claims that the creation by the city of Coeur d’Alene of URDs deprives Kootenai County residents of the right to vote. The residents and taxpayers of the city of Coeur d’Alene elect our council members. The City Council, through its redevelopment agency, ignite cda (not the county), basically pays up front for the URD. If successful, then the URD increases in tax value. The increased tax value provides new money to be invested back into the URD for the public benefit and is not given to private developers. The state statute is very clear on that.

If the city URD fails economically, then the city loses. The county doesn’t “bail out” the city.

Coeur d’Alene is part of Kootenai County and contributes to the economic vitality of the county. It is where I choose to live. We don’t need non-residents interfering in city business.

Coeur d’Alene invests thousands of city dollars up front into URDs. URDs result in significant countywide benefits. Any objections should be based on facts not unsubstantiated claims or misrepresentations. The process is substantially more complex than a short letter to the editor.

PHIL WARD

AICP

Coeur d’Alene