Forum on Coeur d’Alene mill site

The city of Coeur d’Alene and CDA 2030 want feedback on the Atlas Waterfront Project, a first step to determine the property’s potential.

City officials will finalize purchase of the former Atlas Mill site by May, and have aims to utilize the 47-acre property to create public waterfront access and encourage economic development.

The Atlas Mill was founded in 1909 by Marcus Wright, and it supplied railroad ties to the Northern Pacific Railroad.

By December 2005, the mill was producing cedar and pine boards for siding, fencing, decking and trim. That month, it closed due to the popularity of vinyl siding and composite decking, which became more popular than wood products. About 120 employees worked at the mill, and Coeur d’Alene experienced a significant loss of living-wage jobs.

The property has sat vacant since its closure.

People interested in the site’s future will meet in February at a meeting organized by the nonprofit community organization CDA 2030. Interested organizations and people may contact Sam Taylor, deputy city administrator, at staylor@cdaid.org.

To find out more about the project, visit www.cdaid.org/atlaswaterfront.