Friday, November 25, 2005

Is Ketchum's sense of community diminishing?


By REBECCA MEANY
Express Staff Writer

From the loss of "funk" to a lack of youth, Ketchum residents say some essential elements are missing from their town.

Results from a town hall meeting last month, wherein residents voted on what they like about Ketchum and what they dislike, show that many people value their small-town community.

Consultant Tom Hudson, under contract with the city of Ketchum to help formulate a downtown master plan, said despite a feeling of waning community, there's plenty that a town can do to revitalize itself.

"There's a very important role for downtown to play in sustaining the community overall," he said.

The first question posed to attendees at the Oct. 27 meeting was: What do you value most about Ketchum?

A sense of community gained the highest response, with more than 32 percent of people citing that aspect.

Natural environment came in second, with 19 percent. Small-town character won 13 percent of the vote. Culture got 10 percent.

Most respondents said shopping was an important community aspect that is missing in town, with 19 percent citing that issue.

"People are identifying with what retailers are saying," Hudson said. "People who are out there as citizens are feeling the pinch."

Ketchum merchants often say maintaining a year-round business with fewer full-time residents is becoming increasingly hard. As a result, some shops and restaurants catering to locals have closed their doors.

Diversity of people came in second, with 13 percent believing that to be the most vital missing element.

The average working citizen often struggles to find affordable housing or jobs that pay enough to live comfortably in Blaine County. Diversity dissolves in the current environment.

Open spaces and activities each got 12 percent.

"Open space (votes) were most consistently linked to a downtown open space, or a public gathering place for events," Hudson said.

"When you have fewer people it's harder to provide activities," Hudson noted.

A plaza or town center was cited by 9 percent of respondents.

Respondents said having more retail options and a better central gathering space could be ways that downtown could address what's lacking in Ketchum.

"Many of the things (people) miss are the things they value, like a sense of community," he said. "It's no surprise that people would like to see more day-to-day retail opportunities and more gathering places," he said.

Hudson said he was struck by the fact that many people favor more regulations, with 18 percent saying regulatory devices are missing.

"I find that fascinating," he said. "(They're saying) we need the public sector to be a partner in sustaining what we hold most dear about Ketchum. People appear willing to use the regulatory environment to help sustain the community."

"Many of the things called for can be addressed," he added. "There are things out there to help accomplish these kinds of goals."

One of the most important things in the community's success will be people's willingness to come together, share ideas and respectfully agree to disagree, he said.

"Some towns circle the wagons and shoot inward until everybody's dead," Hudson said. "And that's the kiss of death. If that's where Ketchum goes, it will be too late. This is the time for collaboration."

Town Hall Meeting

Another public meeting with city of Ketchum consultant Tom Hudson is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, in the Limelight Room of the Sun Valley Inn.




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