Although fewer than a dozen Ketchum residents and business owners spoke out Monday against the city's proposal to rename some downtown streets, they were eager to let city leaders know how much the idea would affect their enterprises.
"When you start changing business addresses, it has a tremendous impact," Michael Carpenter said during the City Council meeting Nov. 20.
The idea of renaming some downtown streets arose during the downtown master plan process, begun in October 2005. Economic development consultant Tom Hudson reiterated throughout the process that, as an outsider, finding one's way around Ketchum is difficult and confusing.
"Right now we're just floating the concept," said Mayor Randy Hall. "We haven't done any cost-benefit analysis. (But) one of the priorities with our downtown master plan has to do with wayfinding. This is part of a process."
The city asked the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau and the downtown task force to jumpstart the process.
"(We) took this as a rather heavy assignment," said task force member Dale Bates. "We laid the groundwork for how renaming should take place as a way to get things started, not as an end."
One idea suggested by the task force is to change East Avenue to Knob Hill Avenue—a proposal that would have immediate impact on one business owner: Mike Diem of East Avenue Bistro.
Diem said he has spent years in advertising and branding his restaurant, and with a renaming of East Avenue "that's pretty much down the drain."
"Whatever results we come up with, it represents change and could financially impact business," said Carol Waller, executive director of the CVB. "The city is open for lots of input."
Councilman Baird Gourlay said he was for now considering renaming only one street: East Avenue. He noted that businesses got behind the renaming of part of Lloyd Court to Picabo Street in Warm Springs Village, where he has a ski shop.
"Honestly, from a business point of view it was not that difficult," he said. "To me, it's not a huge expense."
Maurice Charlat called for more public input, especially from businesses, while Anne Zauner hoped the Ketchum Historic Preservation Commission could be consulted.
Resident Vicky Graves found no reason for the city's effort.
"Why? Why are we doing this?" she asked. "I don't see the advantage of renaming a street. What about all the money? What about all the maps? What about the people who live in these residences? Maybe I just have too much common sense and don't like all this pie-in-the-sky stuff."
Councilwoman Terry Tracy said that the idea has been around for over a year, but few people spoke out against it during the town hall meetings on the downtown master plan.
"At every one of those meetings, there was never a comment," she said. "Not one person raised their hand and said, 'Don't go there.'"
Tracy, like Councilman Ron Parsons, said the city should take its time with the issue but not let it drop.
"I don't want it to stop here," Tracy said. "I don't want this to be the end."
The city will schedule a town hall meeting on the issue, likely after the first of the year.
Mike Diem, owner of the East Avenue Bistro, is one of many people taking issue with the city?s proposal to rename several downtown streets. Ketchum?s downtown task force suggested changing the name of East Avenue to Knob Hill Avenue, which would impact Diem?s business. Photo by Willy Cook
