Emmett/Gem County Community Review Report Summary

Some of Emmett’s more desirable neighborhoods are within walking distance of its
downtown core and feature historic architecture, mature landscaping and trees, and
traditional grid-system streets with sidewalks.
Likewise, the commercial historic structures in downtown Emmett add value and
interest to the downtown experience. Care should be taken to maintain the elements
that make the core accessible and unique; cookie-cutter design or development,
along with barriers to access through and around downtown tend to detract from the
area’s quality. These physical elements in part make up the “small, rural, quiet
nature of the community” residents valued so highly in the pre-review survey.
(3) Link downtown, schools, residential neighborhoods, Co-op Canal, river, parks,
and civic buildings with bicycle and pedestrian improvements;
We observed great opportunities for pedestrian and bicycle corridors linking the
Sports Complex, downtown, Farmer’s Co-op Canal, Emmett High School, civic
buildings, offices, City Parks, and the historic train depot. Improving and
encouraging pedestrian and bicycle access to and from downtown could be an
important link to increasing overall downtown traffic, commerce and interest. Don’t
just build sidewalks and greenbelt pathways. Build sidewalks and greenbelt pathways
that connect destinations, as illustrated by the diagram below created by the Visiting
Team on Day Two of the community review:
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