HAYDEN, Idaho — Hayden residents will soon have multiple opportunities to help shape the future of the city’s Civic Center after the Hayden City Council unanimously approved an agreement Tuesday to begin a comprehensive public planning process for the property.
The property, familiar to many longtime residents as the former site of the Owl Cafe, will become the focus of a community-driven master planning effort intended to guide the future development of Hayden’s Civic Center campus.
To begin that process, the council approved a professional services agreement with Spokane-based architecture and planning firm Bernardo Wills for an amount not to exceed $52,100. The agreement authorizes the firm to develop a Civic Center Master Plan through a structured public engagement process.
According to City Administrator Lisa Ailport, recent joint workshops between the Hayden City Council and the Hayden Urban Renewal Agency (HURA) identified public involvement as the next step in moving the Civic Center project forward. Rather than beginning with a predetermined design, the city intends to first determine what residents want and need while balancing those priorities with project feasibility and budget considerations.
Under the approved scope of work, Bernardo Wills will conduct stakeholder interviews, develop and administer an online public survey, participate in Hayden Days, and host both virtual and in-person public engagement sessions. The firm will use the information gathered through those efforts to identify community priorities before developing concept alternatives for the Civic Center campus.
The planning process will also include evaluating multiple site concepts, preparing cost estimates, developing phased implementation strategies, and producing a final master plan for City Council consideration. According to the proposal, the completed plan is intended to provide a long-term framework for future investment and development while helping future City Councils continue working toward a community-supported vision.
The agreement authorizes up to $52,100 for the planning effort. According to the staff report, approximately 34.38% of eligible project costs—about $17,912—may be reimbursed through Park Impact Fees. City staff also intends to seek reimbursement from HURA for the remaining contract amount. If HURA does not approve that reimbursement, the project could instead be funded through the City’s General Fund.
According to Bernardo Wills’ proposal, the project will begin with a kickoff meeting and background review before moving through community outreach, concept development, cost estimating, and preparation of a final master plan. The agreement anticipates the planning process will be completed by the end of 2026.
How Residents Can Participate
As the planning process moves forward, residents will have several opportunities to help shape the future of Hayden’s Civic Center. According to the approved scope of work, planned public engagement includes:
Stakeholder interviews
An online community survey
Participation during Hayden Days
Virtual public engagement sessions
In-person public meetings
Hayden Reporter will share meeting dates, survey information, and other opportunities for public participation as they become available.