Lewiston Downtown Master Plan

Uncommon Bridges,* in association with Welch-Comer Engineers and E.D.Hovee & Company, completed a master plan for downtown Lewiston, Idaho. The process included analysis and recommendations related to the economic ecosystem, physical and built environment, neighborhood livability, and cultural placemaking.

Downtown Lewiston enjoys a stunning riverfront setting at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, but the commercial core was disconnected from these natural assets by dikes, railroad spurs, and inactive industrial sites. Downtown’s proximity to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Lewis-Clark State College, and the city’s oldest neighborhoods as economic engines is an asset, but a 90-foot natural bluff causes a significant physical disconnection, offering spectacular views, but impeding pedestrian and bicycle access.

The Uncommon Bridges Team engaged more than 100 downtown stakeholders in alternative and preferred scenarios for physical improvements, residential development, transportation and infrastructure investments, as well as leadership and implementation strategies. The final Master Plan was approved by the City Council in 2019.

The process not only built relationships, it became an assessment of community capital, in terms of levels of trust, willingness to participate, invest and support. The process uncovered that the community wanted to work with the City to get things done after years of inaction. Within two years, community members and civic leaders took steps on three of the seven key actions.

1. Downtown Lewiston formed and received Council approval for a Business Improvement District.

2. The City now understands the investment needed for downtown’s Main Street improvements and will ask the public to support a bond measure in 2025 that will provide funding for traffic calming interventions and critical infrastructure upgrades.

3. An 11-acre brownfield site at the confluence is being considered for redevelopment under a public-private partnership model.

TESTIMONIAL                                                                                                  

‍“I’m really grateful for you and your coaching. In every way, you’ve been a mentor, cheerleader, and insightful advisor. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you.”
-- Courtney Kramer, Executive Director, Beautiful Downtown Lewiston
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*This work was originally performed as BDS Planning & Urban Design.