St. Maries Downtown Revitalization

St. Maries, Idaho

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The strategy to revitalize downtown St. Maries, Idaho incorporated a 14-block segment of Main Street and College Avenue, which is also State Highway 5.  In addition to developing the concepts for streetscape, illumination, and pedestrian improvements downtown, the master plan addressed the condition and costs for replacement of depreciated underground infrastructure. 
Other key elements of the plan included integrating adjoining and related ITD pedestrian and highway improvement projects, thereby enabling the City to leverage additional grant funds to accomplish the plan.
Welch Comer assisted the City of St. Maries and Timber Plus in successfully forming a Local Improvement District with overwhelming support from downtown business and property owners.  Welch Comer also assisted the City to develop and present professional presentations to the Idaho Department of Commerce to successfully secure a Community Development Block Grant. Hatchmueller Landscape Architects performed the streetscape and landscape design elements.

KEY ELEMENTS

  • The Downtown Master Plan helped secure IDOC Block Grant funding.
  • LID successfully approved by property owners and council.
  • Welch Comer assisted the downtown steering committee select design elements and budget priorities.

Corner "Bump Outs" reduce pedestrian cross walk travel time.

Median islands slow traffic and improve aesthetics.