Keeping the Heart of Idaho Falls Beating
For generations, the heart of Idaho Falls has been the steady pulse of our community. Many remember the shift in the 1980s, when commerce drifted away from downtowns and toward big‑box stores and vast parking lots. Our forefathers saw the tide changing and took meaningful action, even removing downtown parking meters as a symbolic stand to protect local livelihoods. They refused to let the core of our city become a relic, preserved it as a sanctuary.
Thirty years ago, Idaho Falls leaders strengthened that commitment by establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) – a proven tool that allows downtown to grow and thrive beyond what basic city services alone can support. And today, as we approach the 2027 renewal of the BID, we’re not merely renewing a budget. We are honoring the foundation built by generations of Idaho Falls families, entrepreneurs, and stewards.
Today, following in our leaders' footsteps, our eyes are on the horizon, we’re taking meaningful action to preserve our heritage, and we're making necessary adjustments in response to changing tides. Here at IFDDC, our intentions are pure, we’re united by our mission, and we’re committed to strengthening our downtown together. We refuse to let downtown become a relic.
Across society, people are craving honesty and authenticity -- something real again – eye contact, connection, stories you can touch. We long to step away from screens and rediscover the “thousand stories” held within our historic buildings and whispered through our downtown tunnels. We want more than a transaction. We want experience, interaction, and unity.
By standing together, we ensure that Downtown Idaho Falls remains the region’s original “one‑stop‑shop,” but with the authenticity, charm, connection, and character only history can provide.
We are choosing:
· Depth over convenience: soul-filled food, curated shops, flower‑lined sidewalks, artful storefronts, painted alleyways.
· Art & atmosphere: live music echoing through the streets, the comfort of a quiet library nook, the charm of a local bookstore.
· A legacy of stewardship: meals enjoyed on sunlit patios, followed by a walk along a Greenbelt River Walk cared for with love for decades.
What Is a Business Improvement District (BID)?
A Business Improvement District is a clearly defined area where commercial property owners agree to pay a small special assessment that funds services and improvements beyond what the city normally provides. It’s a self‑help tool in that property owners pool resources to make their district cleaner, safer, more vibrant, and more economically competitive.
BID‑funded services across the United States often include:
· Enhanced security (foot patrols, ambassadors)
· Improved sanitation (sidewalk sweeping, graffiti removal)
· Beautification and storefront improvements
· Lighting and safety enhancements
· Marketing, branding, and signature events that draw shoppers & visitors downtown and into stores.
Here in Idaho Falls, the BID is administered by the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC). The BID is a privately directed, publicly sanctioned organization under Idaho Code, renewed every 10 years by a 50%+1 vote of property owners within the BID. The signed petitions from property owners then go before Idaho Falls City Council for review, a resolution, public notices, and the statutorily required public hearing.
Why Updating the BID Matters for the Next 30 Years
1. Downtown needs to evolve
BIDs work best when their services match the current needs of property owners and businesses. Updating boundaries, assessments, and priorities ensures downtown stays clean, safe, and vibrant.
2. Expectations for safety and experience are rising
To compete with suburban retail and online shopping, downtowns now rely heavily on BID‑funded services like security presence, beautification, lighting, and public events.
3. Economic competitiveness requires adaptation
Downtowns face new pressures, from e‑commerce to growing demand for walkable, experiential spaces. Updating the BID keeps Idaho Falls economically strong.
4. Modern improvements require modern support
Infrastructure enhancements like historic lighting, parking facilities, landscaping, and wayfinding require updated funding models to reflect who benefits.
5. Equity and fairness for all property owners
Regular review prevents outdated boundaries, uneven burdens, or missed opportunities. It ensures services remain fair, relevant, and effective for decades to come.
The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation is committed to leading a collaborative, transparent process—bringing businesses, property owners, residents, and civic partners together to strengthen and modernize the BID. Our mission is simple: keep downtown clean, safe, welcoming, and economically strong.
We aren’t chasing trends—we’re polishing the gem we already own.
Downtown Idaho Falls is where our heritage meets our future. As we prepare for the 2027 renewal of the Business Improvement District, we ask our community to stand united once more.
👉 Support the renewal of the Downtown Idaho Falls BID.
👉 Support IFDDC’s continued leadership and stewardship.
👉 Support the next 30 years of a thriving, beautiful, connected downtown.
