SUNDAY EDIT: Developments will make downtown even more vibrant

Construction is booming in downtown Coeur d’Alene. 

Major projects are going up at Second and Sherman, Sixth and Sherman and Third and Front. This includes the 15-story Sherman Tower, the 18-story Thomas George and the six-story Marriott hotel. 

Today’s front page story by Press Reporter Hailey Hill outlines the developments, where they stand, what they include and their projected finishing dates.  

We’ll agree that all this building has made for a bit of a noisy, congested summer, and these projects will change the face of downtown. They will provide an economic boost, creating hundreds of jobs and adding more revenue streams.

Now, some will argue we don’t need more high rises downtown. In fact, the Coeur d’Alene City Council not long ago was talking about building height limits. A city working group’s initial recommendations were: 

Limit to 45 feet on Front, Sherman and Lakeside avenues west of Eighth Street. 

Limit to 110 feet on Coeur d’Alene Avenue west of Sixth Street. 

No additional 2,200-foot towers in downtown. 

Those are good starting points. The group is trying to incorporate a historic preservation perspective while evaluating the development potential of downtown. To put it more simply, it wants to figure out how to preserve what makes Coeur d’Alene special while development continues, which is good.

We have successfully walked that fine line so far. 

Several high rises have been built in downtown Coeur d’Alene since 2000. They include the 15-story McEuen Terrace at Seventh and Front, the 20-story Parkside Tower at Sixth and Front and the 15-story One Lakeside at First and Lakeside. After all that, downtown is still beautiful.

Like many, we don’t want to see too many high rises downtown. But we also don’t want to be too restrictive regarding what has been a key economic driver of the area. These projects are essential to helping sustain the shops and restaurants that employ hundreds. These are people who live, work and play in Coeur d'Alene. We have seen what happens to downtowns that don't diversify their offerings and prepare for the future.

As always, balance is essential. 

We would argue this: Coeur d’Alene has an amazing downtown. These latest building projects will not deter from that. A downtown on the waterfront, with the world-class Coeur d’Alene Resort as its anchor, could only be a magical place. Downtown will always draw locals and visitors because of its unique character and stunning setting. Adding Sherman Tower to the mix will only make it better.

We have a way to go before Sherman Tower, Thomas George and the Marriott hotel open for business. When they do, we believe we will still have a special downtown, filled with thriving businesses and good people, unlikely to be rivaled anywhere in the country.