Greensferry gets a lift

POST FALLS - One of the right-of-way hurdles in the construction of the Greensferry overpass has been cleared.

The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency reached a $1.65 million settlement with Santorini, LLC, which owns the River City Dentistry building on the south side of Interstate 90, to purchase the site for an approach to the overpass.

In November the URA, which is funding the $15 million overpass, started the condemnation process to purchase the property.

"We're happy to be able to move on," said Tom Lien, URA executive director. "It's acceptable. A lot of analysis went into this."

The URA earlier offered Santorini $1 million and later $1.2 million for the .6-acre site on the west side of Greensferry Road, but those amounts didn't include another $400,000 for new tenant improvements at the new dentistry location, moving expenses and loss of revenue during the transition, Lien said.

Therefore, he said, the $1.65 million settlement, which includes relocation expenses and requires the building on Schneidmiller Avenue to be vacant by April 1, isn't considerably more than what was earlier on the table.

"If we didn't agree to this, and it would have gone to a jury trial, it would have lasted for another eight to 12 months and we would've had a couple hundred thousand dollars in additional attorney fees," Lien said. "It could have easily ended up costing us $1.8 million."

Lien said the hiccup won't affect the overpass construction project, which is scheduled for completion in the fall.

"We have surplus funds built in for unknowns such as right-of-way acquisitions," he said. "We're pretty sure we'll stay within our original budget."

When completed, the structure will feature two lanes in each direction, bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides. It is intended to relieve traffic congestion, improve mobility and improve emergency response.

Douglas Marfice, the attorney for Santorini, said his client believes the settled amount fairly reflects the value of the property taken and costs it will incur with relocating and establishing the dentistry across the interstate in Post Falls at 737 N. Thornton.

"As you can imagine, shutting down a dental office and re-establishing it in another location is a daunting and costly undertaking," he wrote in a statement. "It's not the same as relocating a law office or accounting practice, for example. There is expensive and finely calibrated machines in each operatory as well as X-ray equipment, vacuum/suction units, nitrous system and specialized lighting."

Marfice said Santorini would have preferred not to hire an attorney to engage in the negotiations, but believed it was necessary because the eminent domain process and timeline for acquiring the site hadn't been clearly communicated. He said the situation was compounded when construction started before the acquisition was finalized.

"Here I think the URA's leadership did a reasonably good job of not letting the initial stumbles turn into major impediments to finding a solution that everyone could live with," Marfice wrote. "I only wish that some of the other condemning agencies would emulate that approach."

Earlier, the URA agreed to provide Financial Strategies, the other occupant of Santorini's building, $20,000 for moving expenses. Moving expense reimbursement is a requirement under condemnation laws.

Meanwhile, Lien said the URA continues to work with the Richards family on purchasing their home just south of the River City Dentistry building off Seltice Way. The property is the other site needed for the overpass approach south of the freeway.

Mary Richards, 93, who lived in the home since 1972, died on Wednesday. A daughter of Richards served as her caregiver at the home when Richards had dementia.

"We are working with the family on setting up a trust," Lien said. "It's an unfortunate situation. We hope to have resolution within the next few months."

In recent years, Richards allowed for a community garden on her property in which at-risk high school students learn life skills. The produce raised at the garden benefitted local residents in need. It was Richards' way of giving thanks for receiving meals on wheels.