Research Park to get neighbor

POST FALLS – Private investors are planning a new building next door to the University of Idaho Research Park that will look and function like part of the campus.

The 20,000-square foot building will be managed by Doug McQueen, the research park’s executive director. He’ll also have a role in recruiting tenants.

But no tax dollars will be spent on the building. It’s a project of the newly formed Inland Northwest Investment Properties North Idaho LLC.

“We just found that the UI Research Park needed a new building,” said Joel Crosby, the LLC’s managing partner. “Their clients have outgrown their current building, but it has to be financially separate, so there’s no risk for the university.”

Construction of the new building will start early next year, Crosby said. Other partners in the project are Barry Baker of Baker Construction, Spokane investor Randy Barcus and Jacklin Land Co.

The university opened the first research park building in the Riverbend Commerce Park in 2002. McQueen expects the research park to eventually cover 32 acres donated to UI by the Jacklin family.

“We’ve always had plans for more buildings,” McQueen said. However, “we’re not in a position to expend money on real estate development at this time.”

Research parks encourage universities and private companies to exchange technology and research ideas. Nine companies currently lease space in UI’s building in Post Falls, which also houses two UI-affiliated research institutes. Some of the companies need more space, and could end up in the new building, McQueen said.