Caldwell Receives $1 Million For Downtown

Caldwell â?? The City of Caldwell today got a big boost toward the revitalization of its downtown area along Indian Creek when Idaho Senator Mike Crapo announced the city will receive $1 million in Economic Development Initiative (EDI) funding. Crapo joined Caldwell Mayor Garrett Nancolas alongside Indian Creek at 10th Avenue to announce funding he has earmarked for Caldwell in the FY 2007 Housing and Urban Development spending bill. The two men met alongside the creek four years ago as Nancolas laid out his vision for downtown and Crapo pledged to assist.â??Caldwell has an excellent plan and an aggressive strategy to attract some $100 million in improvements along Indian Creek downtown,â?? Crapo said. â??New jobs, professional and technical offices, retail shops, restaurants, parking facilities, housing, medical facilities, government buildings and community plazas are expected to be built here within the next ten years. This EDI funding will jumpstart the effort to attract private investment and solidify the partnership we have started with the private sector. I am proud to be a part of that partnership with all of you here today.â??Crapo recalled the meeting four years ago with Nancolas following the news of structural problems at a local car washing business located over Indian Creek. Both men discussed ways to find funding to uncover Indian Creek and rejuvenate the downtown area alongside the banks of the creek. The EDI funding earmarked by Crapo can help attract additional money as it is used to improve lighting, sidewalks, parking facilities, and other infrastructure to support the incoming offices, buildings, and other development. The first phase of redevelopment includes a $45 million investment of private dollars toward 150 housing units, 44,000 square feet of retail shops, and 90,000 square feet of office space, plaza upgrades, and other improvements. Mayor Nancolas said, "We have planned well and worked hard over the past four years to reach the point of restoring Indian Creek and beginning the redevelopment of Caldwell's downtown. Senator Crapo has supported our efforts at every step of the way and this urban redevelopment grant will provide the additional incentives needed to launch the rebirth of the downtown as a great place to live, work, play and shop." Federal funding through the Economic Development Administration has already paid for some of the planning involved in the project, and plans call for a Veterans Administration health facility to be built downtown as well. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been working with the city to daylight and renovate the creek. Funding for that project is ongoing.â??We are already seeing the improvements along Indian Creek that have beautified the downtown area of Caldwell and could lead to improved wildlife restoration and recreation,â?? Crapo noted. â??Soon, we will have the redevelopment along the banks of Indian Creek to accompany that restoration.â??# # #