Historic garage to be replaced

COEUR d'ALENE — A historic garage destroyed in a windstorm more than two years ago may be replaced.

Coeur d'Alene's General Services/Public Works Committee approved a $172,400 bid Monday by Aspen Homes to build a new Jewett House garage.

The plan will next go to the City Council for consideration. If given the green light, construction could begin soon.

Adam Rouse, recreation program coordinator, said the next-lowest bid was $224,000.

The project will be paid for with insurance proceeds following the Jan. 13, 2021, windstorm that toppled a large pine tree that had long been standing near the century-old garage.

"It totally demolished it," said Bill Greenwood, parks director.

The Jewett House was built in 1917, with the garage location on the north side of the property fronting Sanders Beach.

Greenwood said the garage, about 24 feet by 36 feet, will be rebuilt on the east side of the property to create a more open grassy area for better use.

Rouse said the new garage will be more user-friendly and include ADA-accessible restrooms, eliminating the current need for port-a-potties when larger crowds are present.

The new structure could increase rental requests of the Jewett House, which hosts weddings and other celebrations and generates about $35,000 annually.

Committee members Woody McEvers, Dan Gookin and Kiki Miller approved acceptance of the low bid.