Month: January 2022

After eight years in office as mayor the final city council meeting of 2021 was a joyous celebration of Steve Widmyer’s service. The love and appreciation was palpable. Tonight Mayor Widmyer hands over the gavel to Mayor-elect Jim Hammond.

Attempts at scrutiny don’t lead far. Steve Widmyer would have easily won reelection had he ran. None of the candidates for mayor ran against his policies or positions. When a lawsuit regarding an alleged wrongful death occured in his apartments it was a blip on the radar for the few who noticed. His R-34 development went unopposed. His self-appointment to the urban renewal agency was not questioned. Even leading the city to develop and sell real estate via the Atlas Mill project failed to garner opposition. Now, he retires but retains the throne. Why?

Ever the people’s champion, wise Widmyer gave the citizens a park. A waterfront park. And a dog park. Even a waterfront dog park. Game over.

After decades of strategic property acquisition along NW Blvd in hopes of building a hotel, Ron Ayers has listed the nearly four acres of prime real estate for sale. The project was continuously delayed after a request for local tax dollars came up short. An October 2016 ask of $1,255,000 resulted in a commitment of $680,000 from ignite cda through tax-increment financing. The project appeared to have some inertia years later when suspected arson led to demolition of the dilapidated Garden Motel and left 75% of the property empty. However, delays in the project precluded timely use of the tax-increment financing and the 200,000 square foot Springfield Inn and Suites, which was planned to be LEED certified and solar powered, will ultimately not come to the site regardless of the “Coming Soon in 2019” sign which remains on the property.

The available lots total over 3.92 acres and range from $750k-$1.5M or a combined asking price of $ 4.35 million. One lot houses the Lean Bean coffee shop. The properties could receive an R34 special use permit and yield 136 units.

1820 NW BLVD, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

“If You Give People Parks, You Will be Revered.”

Coeurllaborate Project Fizzles

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