New building coming along NICE-ly

COEUR d’ALENE — Construction of the long-awaited North Idaho Collaborative Education building is underway at North Idaho College.

The 30,000-square-foot facility will be shared space for NIC, the University of Idaho, Lewis Clark State College, Boise State University, and Idaho State University. NIC, UI and LCSC will each contribute $666,667 toward the $9.8 million project, ignite cda is on the hook for another $2.5 million, and the state will pick up the difference, said deputy administrator Barry Miller of the Idaho Division of Public Works. State funds will come from the permanent building fund, which is funded by the state lottery and taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and other sources, Miller said.

NIC vice president for finance and business affairs Chris Martin said the project had initially been slated for a March 2019 completion date, but delays have forced that date to get pushed back a bit.

“It’s still moving along well,” he said.

Martin explained that the building will feature a central point of contact, akin to a concierge, that will direct inquiries to the appropriate educational institution’s representative. Also, Martin said the shared space will create efficiencies because the institutions will share classrooms. Where one school may have mostly morning classes, other schools can use those classrooms for their evening classes, he said.

That way, taxpayers won’t be paying for classrooms to lie unused and empty.

“It’s all about the square footage,” Martin said.

Ginno Construction of Coeur d’Alene is the general contractor. The building is located at the former DeArmond Mill site next to the Spokane River.