Idaho Probes Choice Of Oregon Architect

The state Board of Architectural Examiners is looking into the University of Idaho’s tentative choice of an Oregon architectural firm to design a $25 million commons and classroom center.

Contract negotiations are still under way between Joanne Reece, the university’s director of capital planning, and representatives of the firm Yost Grube Hall in Portland.

But Ronald Bevans, an architecture professor at the university and member of the Board of Architectural Examiners, said the panel wants to determine whether choosing Yost Grube Hall would be legal.

“We’re very concerned that people are either moving in or coming into the state and applying for jobs without a license,” Bevans said.

Board members met in Boise on Friday to review the case with representatives of the attorney general’s office.

“Our law is very clear: Either you have a temporary or a permanent license or you don’t do business here,” Bevans said. “Our interest is health, safety and welfare, not promoting Idaho architects.”

Phillip Waite, the university’s assistant director of capital planning, said Yost Grube Hall applied for an Idaho license after submitting a bid for the project.

“The issue is one of timing,” Waite said. “Once we found out there was an issue here, they were diligent about applying for the license.”