Gookin: Let Midtown Grow Organically

City Clerk Renata McLeod provides the draft minutes of the joint meeting between the Coeur d’Alene City Council and Lake City Development Corp. They include this discussion of Midtown:

Councilman Gookin stated that he received an email from a citizen who stated that there was a lot of LCDC funding spent in Midtown and then it appeared LCDC went away.  Councilman Gookin stated that he would have preferred for the area to grow organically.  The citizen suggested that LCDC consider relaxing the sidewalk fees and restrictions to allow more activities on the empty lots.  Mr. Berns stated that there have been efforts to start a Midtown business association; however, only two consistent attendees have regularly attended meetings.  Councilman Gookin suggested that the downtown model may not work in Midtown, and that he would support relaxing any fees/restrictions to motivate commercial activity. Complete draft minutes here and here .

Question: What role do you see for urban renewal in Midtown development?