Bigger bar, marina planned at Arrow Point

The new owners of Arrow Point Bar and Grill plan to tear down the lakefront destination this fall and rebuild a more upscale establishment.

But Arrow Point fans shouldn’t fret. Gozzer Ranch Golf and Lake Club will try to maintain some of the bar’s attractions like spaghetti Thursday and perhaps even some form of its signature Derailer drink – a plastic bucket of icy booze.

“We honestly want to keep some of the existing traditions going,” said Andy Holloran, of Discovery Land Company.

The bar on the north side of state Highway 97 is just across from where Discovery is building a 700-acre private golf course and housing development on the old Gozzer farm. The new bar will match the rustic, natural style of the Gozzer development while having a marina feel, Holloran said.

The company also bought the 82-slip marina and plans to ask the Idaho Department of Lands this winter for a permit to upgrade and expand the marina, perhaps adding 33 slips.

Before Discovery demolishes the existing bar, it must ask the Kootenai County Commission to change the zoning of the 1.5 acres to commercial. A county hearing examiner is having a public hearing today on the proposal.

The zone change will help clean up paperwork problems with the property, Planning Director Rand Wichman said.

The current bar isn’t allowed in the rural residential zone. Wichman said it was built before the zoning laws were in place and then the owners were allowed to rebuild after it burned in 1986. That’s why Discovery is asking for the commercial zone change.

The marina also is considered a community dock, not a commercial marina. Wichman said moving the boat ramp so it’s on the bar property and getting a Department of Lands permit will fix the situation.

“It’s one step beyond a paperwork exercise,” Wichman said.

The new bar will include 2,500 square feet of deck space and have a bird’s nest area giving customers a 270-degree view of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Discovery also will open a general store.

The Arrow Point Condominiums are separate from the Gozzer Ranch, yet Discovery eventually wants to build its own condos on an adjoining vacant waterfront lot.

Seventeen people sent letters to the county in support of the zone change request saying it’s a much-needed upgrade. But a couple of neighbors are worried about the already-crowded parking situation on weekends and holidays.

“Arrow Point is going to be upholstered in vehicles,” wrote condo owners William and Dulcy Owen.

The Aug. 1 letter continued, “Add a considerable amount of alcohol to the mix and you have serious safety problems.”

Construction on the Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole course started last week and Holloran hopes the development gets final approval this fall so roads and basic infrastructure work can begin.

People have already begun reserving the lots, which start at $200,000, and Holloran anticipates people can start building in May. Plans call for 375 high-end homes and condos and potential buyers are from Arizona, California and the Midwest in addition to people who already own property in other Discovery projects across the county, he said.

Discovery compares Gozzer Ranch to Black Rock, the recently opened luxurious gated community and private golf course on the west end of the lake at Rockford Bay.