The most recent — and perhaps final — draft of the East Sherman Revitalization Plan appeared late Friday afternoon on the Coeur d’Alene website, a (possibly) final glimpse before the document goes to City Council.

“We just loaded it onto the site today,” Coeur d’Alene community development director Hilary Anderson said. “We were able to work with our community partners and builders to make some changes to some images and timeliness, and we were able to add some new information. We’re very proud of it.”

The 75-page document is available to download through the City’s Planning Department page. It provides a list of development possibilities and zoning challenges, its most recent manifestation including updated highlights of neighborhood character and potential strategies for funding mechanisms.

Anderson emphasized the key to the document as it stands today is the same as its predecessors: “draft.”

“This is still a draft,” Anderson said. “That’s important to remember: It has not yet been blessed by [City] Council. It’s the latest version available, and it will probably be what ends up going to Council. But they have to discuss this and sign off on this. This is just a draft.”

Councilmember Dan Gookin said he was still reviewing the plan, but his initial thoughts were generally positive.

“This is one of those situations that government does a lot,” he said. “This has a lot of tools and a lot of suggestions, but it doesn’t yet have a goal. There’s real potential in here, but we still need a goal.”

Gookin said one particular section of the revitalization plan that caught his eye was one that often gives him pause.

“The thing that most concerned me was page 45,” he said. “I like that they put all the funding strategies in there, but I’m a firm believer in keeping government funding out of private projects. The City does have to work harder to make it easier for businesses to thrive along East Sherman. But we have to ask: What can government do to get out of the way and allow these projects to develop?”

While urban renewal is listed as a possible funding mechanism, it is only one of many, Anderson said. She said Council might very well look at other funding opportunities like grant money and Idaho-issued tax credits, admitting the public might be fatigued after the recent debate over the since-approved Health Corridor.

“We worked very closely with community builders and CDA 2030 to give Council some choices,” she said. “I feel like this document provides a palette of options to see what can be done to boost economic growth in the area.”

This most recent version also includes strategies surrounding properties acquired by the city from St. Vincent de Paul, a deal that closed Friday afternoon.

“The top choices we’ve heard from public input include a farmers’ market or food co-op of some sort,” Anderson said. “Next was a pocket park, followed by some infill housing...So there are plenty of choices on the table.”