The draw of the Wood River Valley is balance in all things: work, health, recreation, community and family.
Ketchum residents go to great lengths to maintain equilibrium in their lives, evidenced by an active, engaged population.
But as much as its citizens wouldn't live without balance, that's exactly what's missing in Ketchum itself.
Such is the consensus among participants in the formulation of a downtown master plan, the framework for which is now ready for review.
The city contracted with economic consultant Tom Hudson, of Moscow-based The Hudson Company, to help define and achieve goals through a master plan.
"I'm trying to make it the voice of the community and an educational mechanism," Hudson said.
The framework document, which can be viewed at www.sunvalleycentral.com, addresses economics, design, organization and promotion of a revamped downtown.
Elements comprising Phase 1 were gleaned from citizens during a three-month period of community input.
The overriding sentiment of residents, and thus the guiding principle for the plan, is that Ketchum is losing its sense of community.
Affordable housing is scarce, forcing employees south to live—and spend their money. Effects of that migration reverberate throughout the community, by businesses struggling to maintain year-round sales, and by employers and the city itself straining to find workers willing to deal with high rents.
The planning team reviewed existing city plans, researched local history and incorporated what has already been decided or accomplished in previous downtown planning efforts.
They also looked to other cities for successful revitalization tools.
"Phase 1 is the starting point," said Ketchum Planning Director Harold Moniz. "The great thing about this process is we feel like we're capturing the values and the goals of the community. To me, whenever you're trying to solve a problem, you have to ask yourself, 'What are you trying to solve?' Tom has done a great job in identifying some of our strengths and some of our weaknesses. From that, we have a pretty good understanding of what we need to make (downtown) more vibrant and healthy."
The downtown master plan, rooted in the comprehensive plan, seeks to rectify issues, block by block.
Among Hudson's recommendations are highlighting nature, art and history in the commercial core, rather than parking spaces. Enhance Fourth Street, making it a pedestrian corridor. Clarify directions and points of interest. And establish an identity separate from Sun Valley.
The framework of Phase 1 is meant to be a breathing document, Moniz said.
"It's not cast in stone—a this-is-it kind of document," he said. "It's meant to be dynamic."
As the city works to reinvigorate downtown's look and feel, associate groups such as the chamber of commerce can help in other ways, such as identifying target markets to better serve consumers.
Civic groups and nonprofit organizations can be called upon for additional support.
The City Council is scheduled at its Feb. 6 meeting to vote to accept and adopt the framework created in Phase 1.
A final draft of the master plan could be out by mid-summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Web
To view the framework document, go to www.sunvalleycentral.com and click on the "Downtown Ketchum Proposal" icon on the left side.
