City Council asks legislature to support urban renewal

The Pocatello City Council has asked the Idaho Legislature to support urban renewal efforts in Pocatello and throughout Idaho. For the simple of reason of creating more jobs and maintaining the ones already in operation.

Thursday Mayor Brian Blad signed a proclamation and was sent to the Urban Renewal Interim Committee, detailing benefits of urban renewal to cities like Pocatello.

At Thursday’s city council meeting, members voted 5 to 0 in favor of adopting a resolution that expresses the council’s support of urban renewal. The resolution asks legislators and the renewal committee to approve tools and solutions that will allow successful administration and execution of the renewal in Idaho.

According to a study done by the Redevelopment Association of Idaho in 2012, urban renewal has resulted in 11,000 jobs created and over $650 million in private investment across Idaho.

“We don’t know. They’re trying to combat the negative side of urban renewal. Really 2 maybe 3 places in Idaho. We’re really trying to bring the positive side to the forefront to the legislature to let them know, it’s been a really good thing for Pocatello,” said Planning Development Director Lon Crowell – Pocatello City Hall.