The Core of Our Pedestrian & Bicycle Friendly Community.

The Story

Ketchum’s Fourth Street Heritage Corridor is one of the earliest examples of the KCDC’s ability to partner with the City of Ketchum to plan, coordinate and complete large-scale infrastructure and revitalization projects that benefit the entire community.

Around 30 years in the making, this pedestrian corridor includes wider sidewalks, narrower streets and will eventually run the entire length of Fourth Street, from Spruce to Second Avenue–an eight-block span. Currently, two phases have been completed, creating significantly improved pedestrian access between Walnut to Washington avenues.

The plan really got traction with the 2006 Downtown Master Plan and the KCDC began its implementation in 2007. This project is a major piece of increasing walkability in the downtown core and will be built upon with future projects that include wayfinding, street lighting and improved sidewalks throughout Ketchum’s commercial center.

What

Initially outlined in Ketchum’s 1977 comprehensive plan, Ketchum’s Fourth Street Heritage Corridor spans four blocks, which have been improved with wider sidewalks, benches, street trees, chess tables, bike racks and rotating art installations.

Anchored in the heart of the city by Ketchum Town Square, the pedestrian walkway now boasts increased outdoor dining options and is home to the Farmers’ Market during the summer and fall months.

Where

The Fourth Street Heritage Corridor begins on the east side of town at the intersection with Walnut Avenue and continues west across Main Street to the corner of Washington Avenue.

When

This project began with its first phase of construction in the spring of 2007, completing the second phase, from Leadville Avenue to Washington Avenue, in the following spring.

The city plans call for the corridor to eventually span the entire length of the eight-block street from Spruce to Second Avenue, although no time line has been set for the completion.

How

The first two phases of this project were successful due to the collaboration between the city and the KCDC, with both organizations heeding the call of the public as heard through the Downtown Master Plan process in 2006, which also led to the creation of the KCDC itself.

Led by KCDC Board Member Dale Bates and a volunteer team worked with the community to build a corridor that would work for pedestrians, adjacent business owners and cars.

The city used its newly created Urban Renewal District, an incremental property tax funding mechanism, to pay for the construction instead of having to increase taxes or hold a bond election.

Why

As Phase 1 of Ketchum’s Downtown Master Plan (adopted in 2006), this pedestrian corridor along Fourth Street, along with an outdoor plaza in the center of town, is a significant piece of our economic revitalization of the downtown core, directly benefiting adjacent businesses and the entire town.