Post Falls on good-growth trend

POST FALLS — The River City continues to experience diverse growth as evidenced by the numbers Mayor Ron Jacobson presented in his third annual state of the city address.

More than 100 people were on hand to hear Jacobson on Tuesday during the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce's luncheon at Red Lion Templin's Hotel on the River.

Jacobson, who was elected in 2013, said through October, the city has issued 298 single-family and 24 multi-family permits.

"This number is close to, or may end up being, the highest annual dwelling unit expansion for the city on record," he said. "The city of Post Falls has experienced a very busy year, as you may well expect."

In the same period, the city issued 32 commercial building permits, processed 18 commercial site plans, and issued 61 new business licenses, which Jacobson said reflects a "healthy blend of commercial, industrial and residential growth."

When Jacobson was campaigning to become the 37th mayor of Post Falls, he said he made jobs one of the primary

components of his platform. Jacobson said although some jobs have left the city during his tenure, there has been a surge in employment opportunities in 2016.

The arrival of Tedder Industries and Orgill, Jacobson noted, will bring in hundreds of jobs.

"The numbers are looking very good," he said.

Both Kootenai Health and Northwest Specialty Hospital are expanding along Mullan Avenue, Jacobson said, with Kootenai Health nearing completion on a $10.5 million expansion of its Post Falls facility that will create an additional 45 jobs.

"The medical industry in Post Falls is alive and well," Jacobson added.

In 2016, Jacobson said, the city invested in public infrastructure, adding 3.94 street miles which according to the mayor brings an estimated value of $3.94 million to the city. An estimated value of $1.35 million was also added through improvements to the city's curbs and sidewalks.

The city, Jacobson said, will continue to invest in infrastructure and has budgeted $2.8 million toward street maintenance in 2017. Jacobson noted all of the current projects are in compliance with the updated Americans with Disabilities Act, and the city has budgeted $140,000 toward ADA improvements in 2017.

Although Jacobson said the city received a firm "No" from both federal and state transportation officials for construction assistance on the Greensferry Overpass, it was able to complete the project on its own and under-budget.

"Tell us ‘no’ and we'll find a way to get it done," he said.

One of the major issues Jacobson said he’s concerned about is the amount of multi-family dwellings either being built, or planned to be built, in the city because of the effect such high density housing has on the community as a whole. Housing is critical, he said, but the city must continue to look at the impact of each proposed development.

"We have to be cognizant of the number of units we have," he said.

Jacobson also spoke of the city's emergency services and said police departments across the country are being targeted. After referring to three recent fatal incidents that Post Falls emergency responders were involved in, Jacobson expressed praise and thanks for the local agencies.

"The impact these events have on first responders, I don't know if any of us can understand that because we are not there," Jacobson said. "But they are outstanding. We have first class people, folks, and they always do a tremendous job for us."