Tenant sought for former Army Reserve Center

HAYDEN — Kootenai County plans to lease the former U.S. Army Reserve Center next to the Coeur d'Alene Airport.

Commissioners are having an appraisal completed on the facility, located on Wyoming Avenue and Ramsey Road.

The county has owned the property, but now, through the Federal Aviation Administration, owns the building as a result of federal property surplus disposal system.

"They signed the building over to us because we are the landowners," said Greg Delevan, airport manager. "It was offered to federal agencies first. The Forest Service initially had an interest in it, but it did not satisfy their needs."

The 8,500-square-foot, single-story facility was constructed for the Army Reserve in the 1970s. The Reserve leased the building from the county until last year, but has moved to a facility on Aero Drive north of Dakota Avenue in Hayden.

The Hayden Senior Center has already expressed interest in the former Reserve building. The nonprofit made a lease pitch to county commissioners, as it is searching for more space than it has at its center on Government Way.

"The condition of, and lack of space in our current building prohibits us from expanding attendance for our activities," Storma Edelbrock, the center's executive director wrote to commissioners. "This, in turn, affects our ability to draw more members, impacting our sustainability."

Commissioners, however, declined the offer. The offer was 5 cents per square foot, the ability to sub-lease part of the space and split the rent from that with the county, use the county's liquor license and split liquor profits with the county and require the county to remove all floor coverings.

Commissioners did not reject the idea of the center leasing the facility, but just the offer itself.

"After the appraisal, we will open it up to all bidders," Commissioner Dan Green said.

Commissioner David Stewart added: "Since this property was pledged to the FAA, we must first seek approval from the FAA and provide supporting documents that would be acceptable. Hayden Senior Center’s proposal would not rise to the level of being acceptable by the FAA."

Stewart said since the county is getting an appraisal of the property it shouldn’t move forward with accepting proposals for lease until it has more information on what the lease rate should be. The FAA requires at least fair market value for non-aviation uses of the property.