UI Plans To Expand Programs At Post Falls Research Park Joint Venture With WSU Likely To Offer Tourism, Engineering

Landscape architecture, business, engineering and tourism programs are part of the future University of Idaho President Robert Hoover sees in a proposed research park at Post Falls.

The new program areas are being developed jointly with Washington State University, signifying a new cooperative research push in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene corridor.

Hoover will solicit the State Board of Education for support Tuesday at its Boise meeting.

“We’re not asking for any new money, though that may change later depending on the budget year,” Hoover said.

“It’s primarily between ourselves and Jacklin (Land Company) with a couple of other parties participating, obviously North Idaho College.”

Financed by collateral on a land gift to the University of Idaho from the Jacklin family, the Riverbend Research and Training Park would be a custom-made campus of public and private partners in research, outreach and economic development activities.

The master plans for the site included a large multi-purpose recreational building, a tower and administrative building, a riverfront commons with a possible bookstore, cafe, meeting rooms and small theater, and an artificial river in the main plaza.