Sheriff's office looks to grow in remodeled Kootenai North building

COEUR d’ALENE — The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office aims to complete its move to the Kootenai North facility in Hayden by summer’s end. 

Last year, KCSO proposed consolidating several bureaus into the building formerly occupied by Kootenai Electric Cooperative, which the county purchased several years ago. 

“Everything there should allow our organization, with proper planning, to fulfill its duties and grow as the area continues to grow,” Undersheriff Brett Nelson said Tuesday. 

Most of the agency’s operations are expected to move to Kootenai North, including administrative functions, patrol, the records division and the detective bureau. 

KCSO’s marine team has operated out of Kootenai North for about two months, Nelson said. 

“All our marine assets are stored indoors now,” Nelson said. 

Meanwhile, the building’s lobby should be complete in two or three weeks, and the evidence storage area is expected to be ready for use by mid-July. Several offices are also being added. 

Once the remodel is finished, Nelson said, staff will begin moving to the new site in stages. Each department will have its own space. 

Nelson said the agency has faced some hurdles during the remodel project as maintenance issues came to light. For example, Cory Trapp of LTA Architects told commissioners Tuesday that moisture coming through the building’s lower floor has necessitated replacing about 1,200 square feet of tile with carpet tile. The cost of removing and replacing the tile is about $5,400. 

Trapp told commissioners that the project is on schedule for completion. 

Jail administrative staff will likely fill KCSO’s existing building on Government Way. Nelson said this will allow for more office space and a training area. 

He said he hopes Kootenai North will provide sufficient space for the sheriff’s office to grow over the next two decades. 

“It’s a great opportunity that was made possible for us by the county commissioners,” he said.