“One moment stood out in particular. A teenager stopped, looked around, and said to me, ‘It’s like an outside mall! I had no idea there was so much downtown!’
Mission accomplished!
Families searched for Easter Bunnies. Friends hopped between local favorites. Laughter carried down the sidewalks. Storefronts and restaurants filled. And many first‑time visitors discovered downtown in a whole new way.
Moments like these remind us why downtown matters—and why the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) has spent 30 years working hand‑in‑hand with merchants, investors, and the City of Idaho Falls to build a vibrant, welcoming, resilient city center.
Much like the Taylor Crossing bridge—built to connect, strengthen, and endure—our partnerships have grown more transparent, collaborative, and future‑focused. And now, as we look ahead, we enter a season where partnership matters more than ever.
Listening, Learning, and Growing
Following this year’s Easter events, we received thoughtful feedback from community members, visitors, and businesses. Some saw record sales. Others experienced challenges with the unexpected visitors. All of it helps us improve.
Downtown is diverse. What energizes one space may overwhelm another. What benefits a new entrepreneur may differ from what an established business needs. Events are just one tool in a much larger strategy to support a thriving, beautiful, economically resilient downtown.
What unites us is simple: Respect for property, businesses, each other, and the daily life of downtown comes first.
A Small Team with a Big Mission
IFDDC is powered by a small but dedicated team, supported by volunteers, partners, and a committed Board of Directors. We work hard to meet the growing needs of a growing downtown, and we are grateful for the patience, collaboration, and direct communication that help us stay responsive and effective.
When downtown works together, momentum builds quickly. This Easter proved that once again.
With Gratitude to Our Easter Sponsors, Volunteers & Staff
This year’s Easter celebrations were possible because of the generosity, creativity, and heart of so many.
Thank you to our sponsors:
LK Realty, Idaho Central Credit Union, Outback Landscaping, Sandhill Media, Doug Andrus, Orchard Naturopathic Center, Aunt Faye, and participating downtown merchants who opened their doors, offered experiences, and helped create joy for thousands of visitors
Thank you to our volunteers: Heroes Defense and the many individuals who love downtown Idaho Falls and showed up to support it
And thank you to the IFDDC staff and event contractor, who work tirelessly—often behind the scenes—to bring these moments to life. Your contributions made downtown shine.
Looking Ahead: A Pivotal 18 Months
As we celebrate recent successes, we also face an important reality: The Business Improvement District (BID)—the primary funding source for IFDDC—has not kept pace with inflation or the growing expectations of a vibrant downtown.
Today, most of the BID funding is based on 2007 property values. In 2024, that means IFDDC operates on just $103,000 in BID revenue—far below what is needed to maintain beautification, marketing, advocacy, events, and the day‑to‑day operations that keep downtown welcoming and competitive.
- Parking revenue, by contract, must be reinvested into the parking system alone.
- Sponsorships help, but they cannot fund basic operations.
- Without updated BID parameters, downtown risks losing momentum—something none of us want.
- The next opportunity to adjust the BID is in 2027. That means the next 18+ months are critical.
To renew and strengthen the BID, more than 50% of property owners must vote in favor. This is not about expansion for expansion’s sake. It is about protecting the progress of the last 30 years and ensuring downtown Idaho Falls continues to thrive for the next 30.
A Call to Partnership
Downtown Idaho Falls is our city’s living room—a place where we slow down, gather, celebrate, build memories, and welcome visitors. Its success has always come from collaboration: property owners, businesses, the City of Idaho Falls, volunteers, and community members working together toward a shared vision.
As we enter this next chapter, we ask for your partnership.
Let’s honor the past, stay grounded in the present, and look forward with optimism and purpose. Let’s continue building a downtown that is strong, beautiful, safe, and full of opportunity.
Thank you for your support. Thank you for your feedback. Thank you for believing in downtown Idaho Falls—and in the power of working together.
~Your IFDDC Team