Some Ketchum residents were wowed by sketches for a redesigned, visually appealing Fourth Street. Others, however, were left wondering when their part of town was going to get basics like smooth sidewalks and street lighting.
The town design team of the Community Development Corporation, headed by architect Dale Bates, presented to the City Council Monday conceptual designs for the Fourth Street "heritage corridor."
"This is a very important project," said Tom Hudson, CDC executive director. "A lot of citizens have been engaged in this for a very long time."
With the City Council's approval, work on the first two-block segment could go out to bid next month. Construction could begin in May and be done by July.
The first stage is the major construction work, like sidewalks and street lighting. It doesn't include installation of kiosks, public art, benches and other visual amenities.
The redesign process began in October 2005, when the city contracted with Hudson to spearhead the creation of a downtown master plan.
A revitalized downtown, the theory went, would encourage more walk-in business for sagging sales, promote the city center as a gathering spot and provide opportunity to celebrate community.
The notion of a heritage corridor—with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, public art and historic interpretation—rose to the top of town hall meeting attendees' proposed to-do lists.
"It's a very high-priority project," Hudson said.
With the formation of the non-profit CDC, subcommittees began to develop and work on specific areas for improvement.
The town design committee handed off its recommendations to the City Council Monday. It will be up to the governing body to approve, change or deny those ideas.
Monday's public hearing was one of the last chances for citizens to offer thoughts—complimentary or otherwise—on the plan.
"What about other sidewalks around town?" asked resident Vicky Graves. "It's treacherous."
Mayor Randy Hall said large new projects around town are required to install street lighting and improve sidewalks.
"Frankly, we've got so much development going on, if we can push the costs to the developer ... then that's a benefit for (the city)," he said.
Councilwoman Terry Tracy said she supports the idea of the new Fourth Street, but she doesn't want to see other areas neglected. A frugal member of the council, she also expressed reservations about the cost.
"Other areas of Ketchum are in desperate need," she said. "We need to look at the safety concerns of the residents. I'm not willing to see us ignoring everything else."
Parking continued to be on the minds of merchants, with many saying spaces near their front doors were vital to their success.
Hudson said if plans are implemented as designed, the commercial core would end up with 26 more parking spaces than before. That might entail one-way streets or other configurations that are less than palatable to some drivers and business owners.
The cost for reconstructing the two-block segment is estimated at $900,000.
The city has $620,000 budgeted this year in its capital improvements program. The shortfall could be made up through a loan.
The redesign, from Spruce Avenue to the Simplot lot on Second Avenue, could be complete in three years.
"I fully support this," said Councilman Ron Parsons. "I think we should move forward."
Tom Hudson
