HREI: Needs to pay rent

I’ve been waiting for someone to write regarding HREI and non-payment of their lease for approximately 7 YEARS! (Coeur d’Alene Press July 19, 2025) According to the article, a new lease agreement should have been signed in 2018, why wasn’t it? Even though the lease supposedly wasn’t signed, the city should have required some type of payment or HREI should have been evicted!   

Mayor McEvers broke the tie to give them “…a chance to get things in order.” Supposedly, HREI has “good standing” in the community and has many supporters. Then why hasn’t anyone stepped up to pay their rent? How many other businesses or individuals would love to not pay their rent and not be evicted? Mayor McEvers used the excuse “…there are limitations on how the brick building can be used…” and “You don’t want it sitting empty.” How does he know it would sit empty? HREI has been in the building for over two decades.      

Thank you, Mr. Gookin. “If we are going to be landlords, than we must collect rent.” 

Coeur d’Alene has said they are looking into raising property taxes in the city. If I was a property owner in Coeur d’Alene, I would be outraged. I understand the new negotiated lease payment is nominal, but what kind of message is the city sending? We are going to raise your taxes, but certain groups don’t have to pay rent. 

City Councilors Dan Gookin, Christie Wood and Dan English are being fiscally responsible. Maybe Kiki Miller, Kenny Gabriel, Amy Evans and Mayor McEvers should be replaced at the next election.  

LAGONDA McDONALD, S.B. 

Coeur d’Alene