Chamber Endorses Redevelopment Plan City Council To Decide Tonight On Urban Renewal Project That May Alter Mceuen Field

A downtown redevelopment plan, that may include revamping McEuen Field, received the blessing of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce Monday.

The chamber’s board of directors voted unanimously to urge the Coeur d’Alene City Council to adopt an urban renewal plan tonight.

Board member Chris Copstead, who also is a member of the City Council, abstained.

The City Council will decide whether to endorse the urban renewal blueprint, which calls for a master plan that critics say could dramatically change the face of McEuen Field. The plan considers everything from a pavilion with restaurants to a library on at least a part of what is now McEuen Field.

The chamber says such a master plan will help Coeur d’Alene’s economic future. It only would be implemented with the input of the City Council and the general public, a chamber press release said.

Anticipating a large crowd, the council has reserved the Coeur d’Alene High School Auditorium for tonight’s meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The council’s meeting officially begins at 6:30 p.m. with an executive session on other matters.

The public hearing on the downtown revitalization project is expected to be spirited. Last winter, more than 300 people turned out to a public hearing over turning the basketball courts and ball fields into a library and botanical gardens.

The overwhelming majority of those who testified told the Coeur d’Alene Parks and Recreation Commission to keep its hands off McEuen Field. The library and botanical gardens proposal then disappeared after businessman Duane Hagadone withdrew his offer of a $2 million donation to start the project.

Tonight, both sides are expected to marshal large numbers of supporters. The Lake City Coalition, which includes City Councilwomen Nancy Sue Wallace and Sue Servick, emphasizes that what’s on the table for McEuen Field are only proposals.

They also say that the result could be better ballfields and a better park.

But fears about a grab for the lakeshore property have prompted formation of the McEuen Preservation Alliance, which promises a tough fight if the council makes a single move on McEuen Field or the nearby Third Street boat launch.

The council is under pressure to approve the urban renewal agreement tonight. It must have the plan in place in order to collect tax revenue from an urban renewal district beginning next year.

That money, which comes solely from any increase in property values after the plan is implemented, would go to finance streets, sewers and other infrastructure improvements.

In other business the council:

Will consider changing the length of time city dog licenses are valid. If adopted, a new ordinance would allow purchase of a three-year license in some cases.

Is expected to adopt an agreement for the second phase of Coeur d’Alene Place, the city’s largest subdivision.

Is expected to approve a plan for repaving streets next year.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: IF YOU GO The City Council will meet at the Coeur d’Alene High School Auditorium tonight at 7 p.m. to vote on a plan that could change the face of McEuen Field.