CdA chamber almost set to start work on building

The Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce anticipates breaking ground this fall on a $1.4 million building in a visible downtown spot along Sherman Avenue.

The pavilion-style building, located across from Independence Point, would replace the chamber’s hard-to-find quarters on North Third Avenue in midtown. A visitors’ bureau will occupy a prominent spot in the building.

The new building will also include offices for chamber personnel, the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association and the Lake City Development Corp., which is the city’s urban renewal agency. About 17 people will work there.

Chamber members raised about $465,000 for the new building over the last nine months. Once the capital campaign hits the $600,000 mark, the chamber will be able to arrange financing to start construction, said Jonathan Coe, chamber manager.

Last fall, the chamber bought the land for the building from the Hagadone Corp. The triangular site is bordered by Sherman Avenue, First and Lakeside.

Local architect Rann Haight designed the two-story building, which features a Northwest theme, including wood and stone accents. Large, southern-facing windows will frame views of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The building has been in the works for several years. Initially, chamber members hoped to qualify for a $1 million federal grant through the Economic Development Administration. However, much of the agency’s grant funds were diverted for rebuilding in New York City after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.