The early bird may get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.

So it is with urban renewal planning. Cities are wise to move quickly to encourage economic development but should proceed cautiously as "opposition" may be encountered.

When the city of Bonners Ferry created a district last month to accommodate three areas seeking to develop, they studied the efforts in other cities. They were advised that if they included Highway 95 to connect those areas it might be considered "shoestringing." This is a common criticism of urban renewal planning and was the focus of a recent letter in The Press by Len Crosby of Post Falls.

The fact is that Highway 95 through Bonners Ferry needs improvement, including sidewalks, bike trails and turn lanes into the new developments. Since tax increment financing can't be used if roadways are outside the urban renewal district, the city included the highway, knowing full well that critics could be lurking. So, why not also include the properties connected to the highway so it doesn't "look" like a shoestring? The city felt it would be improper, if not rude, to suggest someone's property is deteriorated just because the roadway in front of it needs work.

Another criticism of urban renewal is that developers are getting tax dollars for infrastructure they would otherwise be required to provide. Mr. Crosby stated in his letter that the developer in Dover was paid back for infrastructure such as streets, water and sewer lines, sidewalks and other improvements in his development. The fact is that NO tax dollars went to the Dover developer for those improvements. Instead he is being reimbursed for upgrades he made to the city's wastewater plant to bring it up to the state's standards. Too, he built a four-bay fire station and provided water system improvements that have enhanced fire protection and fire flows for the entire city. He also paid to pave all of the streets in the old part of Dover.

That last fact may be the irony in Mr. Crosby's comments. The developer is being paid back from his own tax dollars to pave streets outside of his development, but nothing for roads within it.

Mr. Crosby also wrote that Coeur d'Alene's districts exist chiefly to serve high-end development on the Spokane River. Although he notes that some jobs came from it, the fact is that 500 positions have been created at the US Bank call center alone. In total, more than 1,300 new jobs have been created and close to 500 retained from new development in Coeur d'Alene's districts, something that is often overlooked by critics.

Those who work with cities on urban renewal appreciate and encourage comments on their projects, and especially want to hear from those in opposition. It is the best way to provide facts when issues arise, and to encourage the best possible discourse on those issues.

John Austin is a former finance director for Kootenai County and the city of Coeur d'Alene. He can be reached at john@pacni.org.