Rathdrum Mountain opening: Wait 'til next year

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

RATHDRUM — Rathdrum's property on Rathdrum Mountain won't be open to the public this fall as the city had hoped.

After bids to construct the first parking lot at the site came in significantly higher than the city's estimate, the city is now in the process of hiring a construction manager in hopes of reducing the cost.

The hiccup has bumped the opening of the 556-acre recreation site to the public until next year, City Administrator Leon Duce said.

"We'll be working over the winter to get the new bids so by spring or summer of 2018 we'll have that area ready to open up," Duce said.

The site, less than a mile from city limits, includes views of the Rathdrum Prairie, streams, wildflowers, giant cedar and pine trees, wildlife trails and open greenspace for picnic tables, overlooks and shelters. Camping and motorized recreation will not be allowed.

The engineer's estimate on the 25-space parking lot was between $200,000 and $250,000. The city received just two bids for the project. One was nearly $400,000 and the other was $600,000.

Duce said because the city couldn't answer a lot of the contractors' technical questions about the site, the bids came in high as contractors tried to mitigate risk.

The construction manager will handle the new bid process.

Duce said having a construction manager should also reduce change orders, keeping the costs down.

The city is seeking qualifications for construction managers through Friday.

"The cost (for construction management services) is then negotiated after we find the best-qualified construction manager," said Duce, adding the city is not bound to negotiating with only one manager.

Development of the site, which also includes widening of Barrett Road, is being paid for with timber harvest funds from the property.

Duce said another way the city is keeping costs down is allowing a contractor to complete the widening of Barrett by November rather than this summer. He said that project will be $233,000, but it would be at least twice that due to busy construction schedules if the city wanted it done this summer.