In brief: Officials happy with City Hall work bids

Post Falls city officials said they are pleased with construction bids opened Wednesday for the proposed new City Hall.

The low bid, from Coeur d’Alene-based Ginno Construction, came in at $7.05 million, less than the $7.1 million city officials had anticipated for construction costs, City Administrator Eric Keck said.

“We’re extremely pleased with these bids,” Keck said.

The city now will work with the architect and contractor to complete details of the bid, Keck said. The City Council is expected to give the go-ahead next week to negotiate a contract with Ginno Construction, he said. If everything goes as planned, the council could vote in April to award the contract.

The total cost of the project is expected to be roughly $8.8 million, including furnishings and design fees.

This winter, the city scrapped plans for an energy-efficient building and redesigned the project to combat rising costs. The 41,000-square-foot City Hall is expected to open in spring 2008.

– Hope Brumbach

Boise

Liquor store bill heads to governor

Lawmakers gave final approval to a budget for the state liquor dispensary Wednesday that includes funding for a new liquor store in the Post Falls/Coeur d’Alene area, and sent the plan to the governor’s desk.

The $16.6 million budget plan includes construction of three new liquor stores around the state. Gov. Butch Otter hadn’t originally recommended the new stores, but Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, persuaded the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to include them in the budget.

“The new stores are showing a profit within the first year,” Eskridge said. “To me, if we’re going to have state liquor stores, then let’s maximize the profit.”

The budget bill, Senate Bill 1199, passed the House on a 49-16 vote, after earlier passing the Senate 32-1.

– Betsy Z. Russell

Post Falls

Explosive found in repossessed vehicle

A suspected bomb was discovered in a woman’s purse located inside a repossessed vehicle Wednesday morning in Post Falls, according to a statement issued by Post Falls police.

The vehicle had been repossessed a month ago by Green Acres Auto Sales, 2835 W. Seltice Way, in Post Falls, but the purse and bomb were only noticed Wednesday, according to police. The Spokane Bomb Squad responded to the scene, determined the device was an explosive and removed it safely from the area.

Further details on the device were not available late Wednesday afternoon. Police Lt. Greg McClean issued a statement saying an investigation has begun into where the device came from, as well as possible owners.

– James Hagengruber