The 1600 block of E. Sherman Avenue will be temporarily transformed into a “Makers District” September 18-19 and will be celebrated with a (better) block party event.

This free community celebration will include live music, food trucks, a beer garden, lawn games, interactive art projects for all ages, yoga classes, and entertainment provided by the Sorensen Elementary School jugglers, a skateboard and BMX bike demo by CDA SK8 PRK Demo Team, breakdancing by Tangled Roots, and more. Hours Friday are 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The temporary transformation of the 1600 block of Sherman will showcase what revitalization could look like along the corridor in a “Makers District” where local businesses create their goods and also creating a walkable and bikeable neighborhood destination for people of all ages. The road will be temporarily narrowed to demonstrate how it could accommodate an on-street bike lane, narrower travel lanes, and landscaping.  Other temporary changes will include faux building façades, café seating, decorations, lighting, parklets, and pop-up businesses that might be located in a Makers District.

This event is part of the visioning and master planning effort to revitalize the city’s eastern gateway, according to community planning director Hilary Anderson.  The Makers District theme, a pocket park with bocce ball, shade trees, more landscaping, and on-street bike lanes were all top responses from the 2015 East Sherman survey and town hall meetings. 

Volunteers are needed to help set up, clean up, and provide entertainment at the event.  Please contact the Coeur d’Alene Association of REALTORS® at (208) 667-0664 or [email protected] if you would like to volunteer.

The event is organized by the Coeur d’Alene Association of REALTORS® and the City of Coeur d’Alene in partnership with CDA 2030 and is funded by a Better Block Grant with additional funds being contributed by the Coeur d’Alene Association of REALTORS®.