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Council declares central area 'deteriorating,' authorizes urban renewal agency to proceed with feasibility work
Summary
By a 4‑2 vote the council agreed to declare a corridor north of downtown Caldwell and south of the railroad as a deteriorating area under Idaho urban renewal law and directed the Urban Renewal Agency to proceed with plan development and feasibility work.
The Caldwell City Council on Aug. 4 passed Resolution 282‑25 by a 4‑2 vote to declare a proposed Central Area as deteriorating or in need of urban renewal under Idaho law, clearing the way for the Urban Renewal Agency to prepare a formal plan and feasibility study for revitalization.
Oscar Hilty, attorney for the Caldwell Urban Renewal Agency, presented the proposed boundary — roughly between the interstate and the railroad tracks, north of downtown and extending toward the river and east toward the bridge and nearby DOMES church — and said the declaration is step one under Idaho law. Hilty showed photographs depicting conditions the agency considers blight or economic underdevelopment and said the city would only be taking the preliminary legal step this evening; a plan and public hearing will follow later in the year.
Hilty and Nexus / consultant involvement Hilty said consultant work on feasibility is already underway with Nexus and that Roger Brooks has been involved in the process. He reminded council the action tonight does not adopt a plan or a tax‑increment financing district; it authorizes staff and the Urban Renewal Agency to proceed with plan preparation and public outreach.
Council questions and votes Councilor Register and Councilor Stoddick expressed reservations about pace and the need to hear directly from Roger Brooks before approving a declaration, with Register urging more conversation given prior investments and concerns about impacts to private property owners. Councilor Dodi moved to approve the resolution and the motion passed 4‑2 (Stoddick and Register opposed).
What this means The declaration permits the Urban Renewal Agency to complete a feasibility study and prepare a plan for future council consideration. If a formal urban renewal plan is drafted, it will return to council for a separate public hearing and for a final decision. Hilty said the agency envisions public infrastructure and revitalization opportunities but specifics will be proposed in the forthcoming plan.
