What  is causing our Downtown to continue to decline?  It is the high cost of renovation caused by our city officials not applying Historic Building Codes. 
    Next time you are Downtown take a look at the second stories of the Paris, Remwest, Post office, Itex, Maldo Caldo Pizza, Carlyle, and many other buildings.  They are empty and the owners would like to restore them and have rental income.  Not happening.  Cost too much.
    As these empty spaces continue not to generate income owners are reluctant to spend the money to keep them in good repair.  Thus further decline and the cost of renovation increases.
    The city loses taxes on the property.  On the people who would live and work in them.  On the business sales generated from these new customers in the area.  And from the new jobs that would be created from service to these new customers.
    The Whitman is touted as a big boon for Downtown with it’s new low income housing.  The Whitman has been brought up to meet the latest codes....At a cost of over $4,000,000.  Paid for with government funds and with government restrictions for the next 40 years.  What individual investor would spend this amount with it taking 40 years to recover the original investment.  The low income individuals who will live here will neither have the income or desire to keep their apartments in good repair.  Thus the decline of the Whitman begins from day one.
     To start to restore our Historic buildings Downtown we need to get our city officials working with investors and businesses.  Stop throwing up road blocks and become a helping part of the solution.  They need to start applying Historic Building Codes as well as the latest codes. 
    No one wants to have buildings that are a hazard to life and property, but, is it really necessary to require a $300,000  ADA compliant elevator be installed in a building the owner would like to develop into four one bedroom apartments or offices on their second floor. Cost prohibitive. Can't Be done so it sits empty.
    We would like to see the city get it’s code, planning, and fire officals to look at what other communities have done to restore their downtowns and put in place similar plans for Pocatello.  It would sure be helpful for investors and businesses to have a local body that they could go to for help and guidance.    “Hi, I want to open a men’s clothing store in the old Sheep Shop location.  What are the code requirements likely to be so I can make a  cost assessment?”  Now you buy or lease a location. Do the remodel only to find out you need another fire door or a sprinkler system before you can open for business.  The city should be prepared and give a helping hand and work with people.
    This helpful information should be available to anyone and be passed on through the City,  Chamber of Commerce, and Main Street Programs. 
    In a nutshell our city government and it's employees need to become the solution not the problem.  Get it organized and available.  Promote a friendly working atmosphere for investors.