PF buys Eagles' vacant site
LISA JAMES/PressThe City of Post Falls has purchased a vacant lot on Railroad Avenue from the Fraternal Order of Eagles of $315,000. The city now plans to swap the lot for one owned by Kootenai County along Spokane Street. The city hopes to attract a business to the lot on Spokane Street, while the county plans to use its future site as a parking lot for vehicle inspections. The agencies see the future swap as a win-win.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — Post Falls and Kootenai County are one step closer to a city center land swap desired by both.
The city on Monday closed on the $315,000 purchase of a vacant 1.04-acre lot at 214 E. Railroad Ave. formerly owned by the Fraternal Order of Eagles next to Kootenai County's future DMV building. The lot is also across Railroad from the Post Falls Eagles.
Post Falls now plans to swap the property for a .6-acre lot owned by Kootenai County along Spokane Street at Railroad. The two vacant lots are a stone's throw from each other.
The city wants to secure the prime spot on Spokane Street for a future business in hopes of helping create a vibrant city center.
The county, meanwhile, wants to convert its future lot into a parking area for vehicle inspections next to its future DMV office. There’s a lack of space at its courthouse campus in Coeur d'Alene. In Post Falls, inspections are being performed in the street, which raises safety concerns.
"This truly is a win-win for the citizens of both Kootenai County and the city of Post Falls," Post Falls City Administrator Shelly Enderud said.
Mayor Ron Jacobson said the city hopes to attract a business to the site that will draw visitors to the city center.
Post Falls and county officials say the future land swap between the agencies won't involve any money.
"Dirt for dirt," said Shawn Riley, the county's buildings and grounds director.
After purchasing the former Daughters of Rebekah and Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) building on the east side of its DMV/Veterans Services office on Railroad Avenue, the county is converting the structure into its future DMV office. That remodel is slated to be done May 28.
Construction on the county's future driver's license office in Post Falls where the DMV is currently located is expected to finish Aug. 3. The county formerly operated a driver's license office in Post Falls and, with long wait times in Coeur d'Alene, is moving toward re-opening one.
Post Falls purchased the Eagles site with funds set aside for land acquisition. Its purchase will not raise taxes.
Enderud said the city plans to sell its future lot along Spokane Street to a business and, when that happens, the funds will be be returned to its land acquisition account.
"The city has not approached anyone (to buy the property) at this point," Enderud said. "Hopefully, with the sale of the corner lot, the overall taxable value will increase."
The future land swap between the city and county will be presented at a future City Council meeting to be determined.