This year and 2022 are expected to be busy construction years in the Atlas District urban renewal area in west Coeur d’Alene.

Residential and commercial redevelopment at the 68-acre tract that encompasses the industrial area formerly known as the Atlas Mill site has begun, with a first phase of residential construction.

The initial housing construction in phase one of the big three-phase development will include 24 townhome units, 30 single-family homes, and 150 multifamily units, says Tony Berns, executive director of ignite cda, the city’s urban renewal agency.

Also planned in phase one is nearly 7,500 square feet of retail space and 4,500 square feet of office space, says Hilary Anderson, Coeur d’Alene community planning director.

The phase one construction value could total more than $50 million, according to information compiled from the city of Coeur d’Alene’s financial feasibility report for the development, together with other project information provided by the city.

Site work is currently underway. Berns says construction on the single-family homes will start this spring. Townhome construction likely will start this summer, he says.

Apartment construction could begin this summer, but most likely will begin in spring 2022, he adds.

Boise, Idaho-based deChase Miksis Development plans to develop multifamily housing and commercial space on the western portion of the development site. 

Bluegrass Development LLC, of Coeur d’Alene, in partnership with Atlas Building Group LLC and Aspen Homes, is planning single-family homes within the western half of the development as well, and ActiveWest Builders LLC, of Coeur d’Alene, is planning townhomes on the eastern-most part of the site.

The developers have signed agreements with ignite cda that will allow the city to transfer ownership upon issuing building permits or platting the properties. Bluegrass Development is expected to complete its land acquisition this month, Berns says.

Site maps for phase one also show areas planned for an additional 24 single family homes, 21 multifamily units, and some commercial development that isn’t included in the current construction timeline.

Phase one will include seven of 19 development plats for Atlas District which includes the land between the north bank of the Spokane River and West Seltice Way, starting at the west edge of the Riverstone urban village development.

The former industrial portion of the site was last used for sawmill operations in 2008. The city of Coeur d’Alene purchased the site in May of 2018 for $7.9 million with the goal of developing it and preserving the waterfront property for public use.

Construction on a public park with waterfront amenities is nearly complete, Berns says.