Hoo will miss the Owl Café building?

The historic Owl Café building in Hayden faces demolition, according to reports shared at the Hayden Historic Preservation Commission meeting Thursday at City Council chambers.

"They want to demolish the building," said Commissioner Bill Brizee, a newly appointed commissioner with an architectural background. Brizee noted the building's unique character on Government Way and its potential historic value, though he acknowledged the commission's limited influence over its fate. 

"Some of the artwork in there is beautiful," he said.

The property, vacant since March 2021, is owned by the Hayden Urban Renewal Agency. 

"It was never the URA's intent to repurpose the Owl Café, but rather consolidate the properties for a separate use," HURA Executive Director Melissa Cleveland said via email. She said the building and site don't meet current city or building codes and would require "significant investment to be repurposed."

According to Donna Phillips, Hayden's community and economic development director, the building's dormancy for over a year triggered a requirement to bring it up to current city standards before any new use. The building's setback from Government Way currently doesn't conform to city requirements.

The Owl Café's history dates to 1940, when it opened as a gas station before converting to a restaurant in the 1950s. 

While HURA's ownership limits city officials' direct influence, they maintain some input in the site's future. Cleveland said HURA owns adjacent parcels to the east and south but found no viable options for the building's reuse. 

"We looked into interim civic uses, but the space is too small, and the upgrades required too costly to make these opportunities feasible," she said.

Phillips said there have been past discussions about developing a community campus near City Hall, though no concrete plans have materialized.

HURA will meet Monday to consider preserving the Owl Café sign in partnership with the Museum of North Idaho. Commissioner Judy Eichelberger called this "a reasonable compromise" and emphasized the commission's interest in highlighting such historic structures. 

"When we come across buildings like that, we like to point it out," she said.

Phillips added that the sign would be stored in a climate-controlled facility until city officials develop specific plans for its display in Hayden.

The Hayden Historic Preservation Commission met Thursday to discuss the Owl Café building and other local sites Thursday at Hayden City Council Chambers. Left to right: Preservation commissioners Judy Eichelberger, Barbara Bennett, Rhonda Budvarson, Bill Brizee, Ransom Storm, and city administrative assistant Deborah Shaver.