It's time that the public weigh in on what we believe the purpose and vision of URDs are in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Urban Renewal Districts are a great tool for economic development but they should be limited to the expressed purposes laid out in Title 50 Chapter 29 of the Idaho State Code. Before you weigh in, take the time to read this Idaho State Code. As you read it, notice the words used, like: economic growth, limited period, encourage private investment, slums and blighted areas, competitively disadvantaged border areas. It says nothing about the URDs becoming the developer. It says nothing about spending tax dollars on art sculptures up and down our streets. It's clear, when the project is completely funded, you shut them down/Ron Nilson, Post Falls, Ground Force Manufacturing owner, op-ed column, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Is Coeur d'Alene better off today, with the use of urban renewal money to build capital projects, like the Kroc Center and Riverstone, than it was 10 years ago?