Twin Falls Downtown Renewal Shifts Focus to Hansen Street

Goal is to have this corridor become another downtown hot spot like Main Avenue.

By Kevin Litwin on January 16, 2024

GGLO/Twin Falls Urban Renewal Agency

Twin Falls, ID, has seen major investments in its downtown district over the past five years, including a five-block Main Avenue streetscape refurbishment project. Other Twin Falls downtown renewal projects have included unveiling a new City Hall, opening the quarter-acre Downtown Commons park and adding developments such as Park Place townhomes, the 660 Shoshone office plaza and the Main Avenue Lofts mixed-use building. 

“There has been great change in downtown Twin Falls ever since 2000, especially along Main Avenue, which is now a vibrant roadway with office activity, light industry, residential options and nightlife,” says Shawn Barigar, Twin Falls economic development director and executive director of the Twin Falls Urban Renewal Agency. 

The Urban Renewal Agency assists in making public infrastructure improvements within the city to help spark private investment. The agency recently completed a Downtown Master Plan for the next 20 years. 

“Now that Main Avenue is well developed, the agency is concentrating next on upgrading the Hansen Street corridor from City Park to Rock Creek Canyon,” Barigar says. “Main Avenue today is a robust section in the core of downtown Twin Falls, and we want Hansen Street to become another downtown core hot spot.” 

Barigar says a key overall goal in Twin Falls is to have the city remain primarily a rural community, but with a downtown that has a very urban feel to it. 

“We are looking to attract additional housing developments so more people can live downtown and give the district a 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. kind of environment,” he says. “People living downtown attract more retail, restaurants, evening activities and nightlife.”