Fairgrounds spared

Kootenai County commissioners are moving forward with plans to build a new government facility to ease overcrowding, but it won’t be built on the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to abandon discussions to expand at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds adjacent to the county jail.

“We need to stay downtown,” said Commissioner Bill Brooks.

For years, county officials have eyed the fairgrounds for possible facilities expansion — a proposition adamantly opposed by members of the fair board and the community in general, Brooks said.

“What I’ve seen is that by a count of about 99 to 1, people are passionate about the fairgrounds and don’t want the county building there,” Brooks said. “We need to quit beating a dead horse.”

Commissioner Chris Fillios agreed. “I’ve gone on the record as being against building at the fairgrounds — but said I would listen. I’ve looked at that option and don’t think it’s the (public’s) best interest.”

Commissioner Leslie Duncan has supported consideration of the fairgrounds option because, she said, it offers a more long-term solution for growth. And relocating justice facilities to the site makes sense due to its proximity to the jail.

“People complain that we don’t long-term plan enough ... To me, we’re just cramming another building at the (downtown) campus,” she said. “That’s not long-term planning.”

Fillios emphasized that Monday’s action was only to eliminate the fairgrounds as an option for expansion. The decision when and if to build a new facility will be made moving forward.

TWO OPTIONS

During a facilities presentation to commissioners, Scott Fisher of Architects West presented the board with two options for a new county building.

Under both alternatives, the building would be sandwiched between the courthouse and justice building on the downtown campus off Government Way and bordered by Garden Avenue to the north.

Under both options, the new facility would cost about $24 million. Remodeling and renovations to existing county buildings would add about $10 million to the overall project.

Under option 1, virtually all justice related offices, including courtrooms, judges’ chambers and probation services, would be housed in the new building.

Option 2 would house administration offices in the new building and require more extensive remodeling to existing facilities.

Both options call for a five-story, 102,000 square-foot building with parking designated in the basement.

Commissioners said that before moving forward with either proposal, they will hold public hearings.

PAYMENT PLAN

The estimated $34 million project could be funded without going to voters with a bond measure, said John Austin, of Panhandle Area Council (PAC).

Under terms outlined by Austin, PAC would finance the facility and the county would enter a lease-purchase agreement with the economic development agency over 20 years. Austin estimated the annual county payment — for the facility alone, excluding remodeling costs — would be about $1.9 million.

Austin said the county could make its payments using urban renewal dollars anticipated in two years when Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, ignite cda, closes its Lake District.

When that district closes, it’s estimated the county will receive about $1.9 million annually in tax increment revenue that is currently going to ignite.cda.

PAC would be willing to defer collections for two years until the urban renewal money is available, Austin said. He added that now is a good time to finance because rates “have never been this low.” He estimated interest on a 20-year loan at around 3.8%.

“So basically, you’ve got the money to start building in 2020 if you wanted without going to taxpayers for the money,” Austin said.