Park in Hayden area to be named after Anderl

COEUR d'ALENE — Kootenai County is moving ahead on reopening a driver's license bureau in Post Falls to ease congestion on the downtown Coeur d'Alene campus.

The board of county commissioners on Monday unanimously authorized Shawn Riley, the county's building and grounds director, to add 1,000 square feet for a future driver's license bureau as he works with Architects West for a 1,500-square-foot expansion to the DMV office on Railroad Avenue.

"There's people lined up every day outside (the downtown DMV office) at 7:30 a.m.," said Commissioner Dan Green, referring to the busyness of the Coeur d'Alene site. "It makes sense to plan for it now even though it may not be staffed right away."

Construction on the Post Falls expansion project is scheduled for next year. Sheriff Ben Wolfinger, whose department oversees the driver's license division, told commissioners a Post Falls bureau will likely not be staffed immediately after construction.

"Post Falls used to have a driver's license office years ago that may have been ahead of its time," Commissioner David Stewart said. "If we're remodeling the building (for DMV), now is the time to (plan for a driver's license bureau)."

The expansion of the DMV office and the addition of a driver's license bureau would make the Post Falls building 4,000 square feet. The veterans service office is also located at the location.

The project will also include paving a new parking lot to the west of the building to accommodate RVs.

All of the county's building projects getting underway with architects determining an estimated cost and design are being funded with a portion of a $37 million fund balance the county has accumulated. The projects therefore will not raise taxes nor will they require a public vote.

The county is also planning to add between 100 and 250 cells for felons at the jail to eliminate transporting inmates to other cities; remodel and add evidence storage areas at the sheriff's office; and exploring a shared 140-lot parking lot with the city of Coeur d'Alene across Northwest Boulevard from its campus.

COEUR d’ALENE — George Anderl was a forester, conservationist and a developer.

“He was very cognizant of his surroundings to save nature,” Anderl’s son, Tom Anderl, said.

Kootenai County commissioners on Monday agreed to to the concept of renaming the natural 10.3-acre Loch Haven Park in the Hayden area on Loch Haven Drive east of Fourth Street to George Anderl Memorial Park.

George Anderl, who died suddenly at 88 on March 22, and his development partner, Bob Turnipseed, donated the parkland to the county.

“I was heartened by the commissioners’ decision,” said Tom Anderl, who attended the meeting with Turnipseed and retired engineer George Frame.

The Lake City High soccer field is named after Irma Anderl, George’s widow, for her role in helping soccer get started locally.

“There’s a lot of history with our family with civic activities and time donated to worthy causes,” said Tom, who offered to assist the county financially with any costs associated with the park’s name change, such as the cost to replace the sign.

Commissioner David Stewart knew George Anderl, as Stewart was a former builder whose family also developed the Hayden Hills area.

When Stewart noticed Turnipseed was also on the deed to the property, the commissioner wanted to ensure Turnipseed was on board with the name change, which he was.

“George was a very kind, honest and driven person,” Stewart said.

The name change will become official after the county’s legal department reviews the matter and a resolution is approved by the commissioners.

Russell McLain, who attended the meeting, said he uses the park often.

“It’s not fancy, but it’s not overridden by people,” McLain said. “I’ve seen a couple weddings there, and it’s a nice buffer between two streets.”