URA files right of way suit
<p>Construction continues on the Greensferry overpass project along Interstate-90 in Post Falls. A lawsuit has recently been filed to address the rights to a piece of property adjacent to the project on the north side of the freeway that is owned by Coeur d’Alene RV Resort.</p>
POST FALLS - The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency's quest to secure right of way for the under-construction Greensferry overpass has resulted in another condemnation lawsuit.
The URA, which is funding the $15 million overpass expected to be completed this fall, filed suit in First District Court against Coeur d'Alene RV Resort, Inc. and Downey Enterprises, a Washington partnership, to obtain a strip of property on the east side of Greensferry north of Interstate 90 to widen the road for an overpass approach.
"This is part of the process," said Jerry Baltzell, URA chairman, adding that he believes the defendants are willing to negotiate a price for the half-acre property. "This is the way that they prefer we proceed."
Baltzell said the URA is acquiring a similar strip on the east side of Greensferry north of I-90 for properties owned by Knudtsen Chevrolet and Parker Subaru. That matter didn't go to court and appears close to being finalized, he said. Those acquisitions will require the dealerships to move signs and relinquish a small amount of parking space.
Meanwhile, on the south side of the freeway, the URA and Santorini, LLC, which owns the River City Dentistry building, earlier reached a $1.65 million settlement for that property.
Tom Lien, URA executive director, said talks continue with the Richards family, which owns the home on the west side of Greensferry south of the dentistry site.
Lien said some right-of-way hiccups were expected during the project, which is still on time and on budget.
"We figured that there would be one or two hurdles, but we just didn't know which one or for how long," Lien said.
Under state law, the URA has the power of eminent domain to acquire rights of way for the overpass for fair market value. Other defendants listed in the complaint include Sandra Padrta, Garry Padrta, Edward and Lois Brugger, Marlene Burrow, Lorri Brugger, Katie Brugger and Sheryl Brugger.
The owner of the Coeur d'Alene RV Resort couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday.
A signalized intersection is planned for Mullan Avenue and Greensferry Road. Baltzell said rights of way north of Mullan won't need to be acquired for the overpass.
Baltzell said the URA began the right of way acquisition process as soon as it could after the contractor and overpass designs were finalized.
"It's a time-consuming process, but we're on track to finish next fall," he said. "The good thing is that the pillars (of the overpass) have been poured, so things will really start to change in the next month or so."