Post Falls feeling techie

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — Marketing of Post Falls' largest development project in several years has started in earnest with momentum from recent City Council decisions.

Prairie West Crossing developers Philip Wirth and Rick Robinson are planning the 245-acre Inland Northwest Technology Park on the Rathdrum Prairie at the northwest corner of Highway 41 and Prairie Avenue. The project would essentially surround Northland Nursery.

The goal now is attracting technology and aerospace manufacturers to the site.

"We have significant interest in the site from national and regional businesses," said Brad Marshall, a planner for JUB Engineers, which represents the developers.

Marshall said he couldn't specify which businesses are looking at the site.

"We plan to develop a first-class project as soon as possible with inherent community benefits and employment opportunities for Post Falls for years to come," Marshall said. "Based on the city’s approvals, we will continue to talk with possible tenants."

Marshall said an estimated date for the start of construction hasn't been determined. It will be driven by tenants who sign on to the project, he added.

The park will also feature office space, open space, trails and supporting commercial uses in a campus setting. One of the conditions of the city's approval is that multi-family housing will be a maximum of 15 percent of the project.

The council unanimously approved a zoning text amendment to create a new technology mixed zone, an amendment to the city's comprehensive plan to make the property commercial, and an annexation request with the technology mixed zone.

"Attracting business to Post Falls will help spark capital investment in our community, which will help broaden our tax base," Mayor Ron Jacobson said. "Broadening the tax base should help reduce the tax burden shouldered by our residential property owners. In addition, attracting commercial and industrial firms will help create jobs in the area."

Jacobson said the new technology zone is a great addition because of the type of businesses it should attract.

"In light of the Seattle City Council’s recent decision to levy a tax on employers based on the number of employees they employ, the timing is good to market to those companies affected," Jacobson said. "The property owners highlighted the fact that we have less expensive utility costs and emphasized the collaboration of all parties involved to help move this project forward."

Fueling the interest in the project is the high cost of living in Seattle and other economic factors, Marshall said.

"We can make the products here and ship them to Seattle to Boeing," he said. "The economy is roaring. We have cheap power, abundant water, an affordable cost of living and great quality of life."

Marshall said the location is ideal for a technology park since it’s centrally located between Post Falls, Rathdrum, Hayden and Coeur d'Alene. It’s also near the technical schools in Rathdrum operated by North Idaho College and the three local school districts. Further, the site is close to highways, the interstate, railroads and the airport.