Early next year Al Hassell will step down from the Coeur d'Alene City Council to devote more time to his investment and insurance businesses. Over the last two decades, including a term as mayor, Al has in his own quiet way shaped the future of his city, ensuring roadways were safe, parks were plentiful and new growth paid for itself.

Building upon the foundation of Ray Stone's administration before him, Al developed a plan that current Mayor Sandi Bloem has worked very well to implement. Without raising taxes during his term he found alternate ways to fund city operations. He hit the road running in 1994 when as mayor he spearheaded the passage of the city's historic street bond issue, becoming the first city in Idaho to pledge as bond payments the franchise fees from utility companies and state highway user fees. Because Al was concerned about dumping the traffic from the new Lake City High School onto a two-lane 'goat trail', Ramsey Road was the first to be improved. Within six months the road from I-90 to Hanley was constructed to four lanes, just in time for Lake City High to open. Government Way, Sherman Avenue and Northwest Boulevard would follow; each of them would be expanded and upgraded as a result of the street bonds, all without increasing property taxes.

On his watch the city also became the first in the state to implement impact fees on developers so growth would pay for itself. In the 15 years since then, millions of dollars have been generated to pay for streets and parks, plus a new police station and two new fire stations.

Notable achievements all, but Al wasn't done. Late in his term he appointed the city's first urban renewal agency and directed staff to develop a plan to revitalize areas of downtown, midtown and at an abandoned mill site on Northwest Boulevard that today is Riverstone. From that vision several million dollars have flowed to the Lake City Development Corporation, a board on which Al has served for many years. Coupled with other funds received over the years by the city, those dollars have helped to fund a new library and the remarkable Kroc Center, while creating hundreds of new jobs. It may take a few years yet, but concepts for the Education Corridor and McEuen Field projects will be fully realized as well.

As he retires to his business pursuits I trust his fellow residents will want to wish Al the very best. His vision for the city has been matched only by his tireless efforts to make that vision come true. For what he's meant to the City of Coeur d'Alene, my hat's off to Al Hassell, my Mayor and my friend.

John Austin is a former finance director for Kootenai County and the city of Coeur d'Alene and can be reached at [email protected].