Petition filed to save PF City Hall

Because a petition – asking that the old City Hall in Post Falls be preserved – was filed just days ago, it’s unlikely the issue will be put to voters on Nov. 6.

However, the matter is “far from dead,” Post Falls city administrator Eric Keck wrote in an e-mail message.

The issue could appear on ballots in a special February election, he said.

Post Falls plans to demolish the aging building once its new City Hall is completed in spring.

Idaho law gives the City Council 30 days to determine the authenticity of the petition’s signatures. It’s doubtful the city will call a special meeting to ensure the matter meets the Oct. 2 ballot-printing deadline.

Preservationists, led by Bob Templin, want the building to be kept for use by civic and social service organizations.

The push to require the city to “preserve and maintain” the building didn’t begin until a few months ago.

And Templin, who attended a public hearing on the issue, did not voice or make written comments about his wishes when citizen comments were being accepted, Keck noted.

Since the council heard no opposition to its decision to tear down the 7,500-square-foot masonry-block building, it voted to destroy it.

Saving the structure now would require moving underground utilities, repairing or replacing its roof, fixing leaky walls and windows and performing exterior and interior cosmetic work, Keck said.

“The fiscal year 2008 budget has been approved without moneys for the maintenance, operation, utilities and repair of the building,” Keck continued.

“There’s great concern on the part of council and staff that were the building to be preserved in its current place, the resulting financial burden would most certainly cause financial upheaval with the city’s budget,” he said.

Templin,a longtime community business leader and founder of Templin’s Resort on the Spokane River, said more than 500 signatures appear on the petition. That’s twice as many as required by law.

Last week, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a nonprofit organization that helps homeless and other needy people, asked the city to consider giving it the building.

“We’d be happy to donate the building,” Keck said. “The only problem is we can’t donate the ground underneath it. Under Idaho statutes, we are forbidden from gifting any real estate or property.”

Templin was unavailable for comment at press time.