The Hayden City Council held a special meeting on October 7, 2025, to discuss updates regarding the expansion of the Hayden Urban Renewal Area (HERA). The meeting began with an introduction by a council member who outlined the purpose of the session, which was to provide an update on the HERA allocation area expansion aimed at facilitating road repairs and enhancements along Government Way.

The council was informed that two studies had been conducted to assess the feasibility of the expansion, which was initially directed by the council in March 2024. The council had previously voted to expand the district to enable necessary road investments that were previously hindered due to certain properties not being included in the original plan.

Megan Conrad and Olivia Metz, both involved in the process, were present via phone to assist with any questions. The timeline of the project was reviewed, highlighting key milestones from the initial directive in March 2024 to the adoption of the eligibility report in September 2024. This report laid the groundwork for the draft plan and economic feasibility study, which were developed concurrently.

The council discussed the progress made by the Hayden Urban Renewal Agency (HURA) and the consultants in drafting the expansion plan. On September 8, the HURA passed a resolution amending the capital plan and eligibility report, which was subsequently forwarded to the city’s planning and zoning commission for review. The commission found the plan to be in general conformance with the city’s comprehensive plan.

The meeting also addressed the next steps in the process, including the need for publication of the plan, which is expected to incur significant costs. The council is set to consider authorization for publication on October 10, with a public hearing scheduled for November 18. The timeline for adoption of the plan was discussed, with the possibility of adoption occurring on the same day as the public hearing or shortly thereafter, depending on council deliberations.

The council emphasized the importance of the expansion, which includes five newly proposed areas adjacent to critical intersections that require urban renewal funding. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the procedural requirements for amending the plan, which are similar to those for initiating a new district.

Overall, the meeting provided a comprehensive update on the HERA expansion process, outlining the timeline, key decisions, and next steps as the council moves forward with the proposed urban renewal initiatives.