Beck interchange could finish early
POST FALLS - The developer of the project anchored by Cabela's said he believes the Interstate 90 interchange at Beck Road will be completed in 2012 rather than 2013 as previously thought.
"It's been a long time coming, but I think we're finally here," said Jeff Vitek of Foursquare Properties, developer of The Pointe at Post Falls. "Ideally, we'd like to start (construction) in the spring and finish in the fall.
"We're fortunate to have weathered the economy. We've had many (companies) call us to say that as soon as we start to build an interchange to let them know because they'd like to be in the project."
Vitek said there's interest from hotels, restaurants, retailers, office and multi-family tenants, but he couldn't specify. Without the interchange and since the recession hit, development in the project came to a halt after Cabela's and Walmart were built.
According to sources, R.L. Wadsworth Construction of Draper, Utah, has been tapped as the contractor for the interchange.
Vitek confirmed a builder has been chosen for the project, but he could not confirm or deny whether it's R.L. Wadsworth. Vitek said he also could not disclose a specific bid amount on Wednesday.
"It's well under the $35 million cap of the STAR legislation," Vitek said.
Kip Wadsworth, the principle of R.L. Wadsworth, did not return a message on Wednesday before deadline.
The interchange is the first project in Idaho to utilize the State Tax Anticipated Revenue (STAR) legislation approved in 2007. The legislation allows private developers to initially fund projects before being reimbursed through sales tax revenue from the project.
Another road project near the state line, the new bridge over the Spokane River, is expected to be open to traffic by the end of the month, later than the anticipated opening this week.
Crews are installing traffic safety elements and completing shoulder work.
Meanwhile, Tom Lien told the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce's Local Issues Committee on Wednesday that a bike and pedestrian pathway along Highway 41 under I-90 from Seltice Way to Mullan Avenue will likely be delayed and is in jeopardy of being pulled from the books.
The project was earlier approved for $725,000 in urban renewal funding as part of the East Post Falls Urban Renewal District, but the estimate has increased to about $950,000 due to more work than originally thought for relocating water lines.
The district expires in 2015. The Urban Renewal Agency is expected to make its decision on the pathway project on Nov. 17 at 7 a.m. at Post Falls City Hall.
Another project in the district, extending Spencer Street from Second to Seltice Way, is undergoing the right-of-way acquisition process before design and construction can proceed, Lien said.
Other updates given at the meeting:
* The city plans to continue exploring site options for a regional sports complex, including on property the city owns on the Rathdrum Prairie and plans to apply treated wastewater to and an undisclosed site closer to the city core that was discussed this week during an executive session. A City Council vote on a feasibility study contract for the land application site has been postponed indefinitely. The contract was tabled two weeks ago.
* The chamber of commerce committee is developing a 20-year vision plan that will include topics such as urban development, health, law enforcement, commerce and transportation. Starting in January, the city plans to solicit public input on a long-range plan of its own that will result in priority-based budgeting by the agency.