Design Review Commission OKs development plans for Roosevelt Inn property

A plan to develop the property involving the historic Roosevelt Inn was unanimously approved Wednesday by the Coeur d’Alene Design Review Commission. 

The proposal by Blue Fern LLC based in Redmond, Wash., calls for a 38-unit townhome complex named Wallace Townhomes on Wallace and Garden avenues off First Street. The proposal also includes the preservation of The Roosevelt Inn on a separate parcel. 

“I think what we see there we should support,” said DRC member Jon Ingalls during a public hearing at City Hall attended by about 10 people. “I think the design guidelines have all been met. I think the design is appropriate. I think it's a good fit. It’s very attractive. I think it’s a thoughtful and respectful solution.” 

Walters Burns, chairman of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission, liked what he heard. 

“I applaud the efforts to preserve The Roosevelt Inn, and I strongly encourage you to adopt this proposal," he said.

Michelle Branley, Blue Fern’s chief operations officer, said they plan to form an HOA for the condos, but The Roosevelt Inn will not be part of it. 

"We intend to sell the Roosevelt,” she said.

The DRC voted 5-0 that the project complied with applicable design standards and guidelines. It also determined a second public hearing would not be needed. 

A key to the deal was Blue Fern's agreement with the city "to protect the Roosevelt Inn’s structure and its facade, and the mature vegetation and green space to the west of the structure, including the grand scale trees, from neglect, damage, demolition, and unapproved alterations to its historic character, resulting from any work performed by Blue Fern and its contractors and subcontractors.” 

Hilary Patterson, Coeur d'Alene's community planning director, said a buyer of The Roosevelt Inn is bound by that agreement. She said it basically acts as a deed restriction, and a buyer could not come in and tear it down. 

The agreement also states that Blue Fern will work with the city and Idaho State Historic Preservation Office "to take additional steps to assure that structure and façade of the Roosevelt Inn are protected into perpetuity, including imposition of an Historic Facade Easement, if reasonably necessary."

Ingalls asked why Blue Fern agreed to that.

“What is in it for you?” he said. 

Alex Clohesey, architect with Milbrandt Architects in Kirkland, Wash., who presented Blue Fern's plans, said it became clear from the beginning that The Roosevelt Inn was important to the community.

“Taking that into account, we worked with city staff to make sure that could be preserved,” he said. 

The brick building is beloved in Coeur d'Alene. It was constructed in 1905 and is the former home of the Roosevelt School. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

John and Tina Hough bought it about 25 years ago and have been operating a bed and breakfast. They have been trying to sell it for years so they can retire.

The DRC's approval opens the door for the Houghs to complete the sale to Blue Fern. It also should quiet public outcry that arose earlier this year when The Press reported that Blue Fern was in the process of buying The Roosevelt Inn with plans to clear the .63-acre property on the corner of First Street and build townhouses. 

About 6,000 people signed an online petition calling for the structure to be saved.  

There was some give and take on both sides.  

Blue Fern has submitted applications to the city’s Streets and Engineering Department for the vacation of the alley right-of-way behind the inn and a short plat to create a new separate parcel for The Roosevelt Inn and create another parcel with the remaining property. 

The total size of the two parcels is 60,500 square feet. The vacated alley would add 6,000 square feet to the total property size, according to a city report. The Garden Avenue property of the project is vacant.

According to a city report, "staff is in support of the request for vacation of the alley, the short plat, and the driveways for the townhomes off of Wallace Avenue in to allow the project to move forward and to preserve the important historic resource."

Resident Zoe Ann Thruman, who was involved in the successful effort to save the 1908 Hamilton House a few years ago, said “the heart of historic preservation lies with the citizens of Coeur d’Alene."

"I applaud everyone here for their efforts to save The Roosevelt Inn,” she said.