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Collaboration

Your faculty value the opportunity to collaborate and believe this kind of interdisciplinary effort is necessary for the best community planning and design solutions. Therefore, they ask that you adopt the goal of forming effective interdisciplinary partnerships in this course and in your professional career.

Demonstrate Teamwork!

 

Welcome

Project One

Community Place-making in Priest River, Idaho (August 23-Oct. 15)

Introduction

The University of Idaho was invited by the City of Priest River, Idaho in 2009 to help them with planning and design work over the next couple of years. This semester we will continue this effort.

The first project (seven weeks) will include the programming, master planning and neighborhood area designs for the revitalization of the town. We will work in three teams during the research, analysis and master plan phases of the project. Critical issues for the master planning phase are economic development, connectivity and transportation, green infrastructure and open space, and in-fill architecture and brown field development within the existing extent of the town. Our role will be to provide creative input to the city in response to their needs and to enhance visualization of comprehensive planning concepts through design and planning projects.

You will have access to pervious master planning and designs by planning, landscape architecture and architecture students. Some of our work will be refining or expanding the products of pervious students. The focus area designs will be created by individuals or teams of two.

   


City contest. Google, 2009


City Center and Waterfront. Google, 2009


Google, 2009

Priest River is nestled at the confluence of Priest River and the Pend Oreille River in northwestern Idaho, 140 miles north of Moscow and 24 miles southwest of Sandpoint on Highway 200, 7 miles east of Washington state and 75 miles south of Canada. At an elevation of 2,100 feet, the town receives 23" of rain and 72 inches of snow. There are approximately 1,800 permanent residents.

The community is a recreational haven offering year-round activities from boating and fishing, to skiing and snowmobiling. Tourists pass through Priest River on their way to Priest Lake (40 miles north) and Lake Pend Oreille (25 miles east).

The images at left will help orient you to the context of the town and its configuration. Click to enlarge the thumbnails.

   


Region. Google Maps, 2009


Town. Google Maps, 2009


Main Street. Google Maps, 2009


Waterfront. Google Maps, 2009

You may want to print some of these maps for preliminary studies or for directions when we travel to Priest River.

Enlarge the second map and locate the intersection of High Street and Main Street. This is the center of the town and the focus of the redevelopment efforts to date. Find the intersection of High Street and highway 200. You are to redesign this intersection and make this the primary entrance to town for tourists.

Take a print of the third map with you on your initial visit to the town. You can use it to sketch existing parks, buildings and other site analysis information. Your master plan will address the central business district in detail.

The fourth map print-out will be valuable in the collection of information and preliminary design concepts for the 700' long waterfront and connection to the park at the confluence of the rivers.

The last map is of the river confluence which is planned for a community park.


Waterfront. Google Maps, 2009

   
Urban Renewal Agency Map of Priest River click to download the pdf file  
   

Site Visits

We will make a few trips to Priest River to collect data, meet with the community and present our work. The first site visit is scheduled for Friday, August 27. The second in October 8 or 15 (to be confirmed). If you need to arrange child care or work schedules please do this now for these dates.

Town Plan Presentation Requirements

The intent of the town plan and each of the focus projects is to enhance the ecological integrity of the site and provide for sustainable human activity.  The town plan should express a vision of a unified development to be executed over time.  The town plan phase of the project should include the following:

  • Design concept (philosophy, goals and objectives), program of activities and facilities
  • Site inventory and analysis
  • Schematic design alternatives and evaluation
  • Schematic plan

The list below is provided as a starting point for your master planning and design process.  Use and expand it to identify all of the site and design issues to be addressed.

  • Economic Development
  • Town History
  • Interpretation of existing planning morphologies
  • Ecological planning principles
  • Open/public space uses and locations
  • Recreational uses and locations
  • Road ROW, speeds, scale, configurations, and character
  • Unique town characteristics- how to enhance
  • Parking schemes
  • Building uses and locations
  • Interaction of buildings and landscape
  • Concepts for phasing

After the town plan is complete the team will select a focus are to develop in more detail. Alternatives for the same area may be developed with permission of the professors. Each team is to conduct general research on community planning and urban design relating to their focus area project. This includes the studying the course web site and other resources. Research products are to be included in the final document provided to the community. Each focus are should consider at least two blocks around it to illustrate the connection to an adjacent neighborhood. Your professors will help you define the extent of the planning and design area.

The focus are must include a plan view that is posted to the town plan to illustrate all of the design proposals created for the community. A second larger version is to be included with text justification and explanation in an InDesign document using a common template that will be provided to you by your professors.

The last major product of the project is a set of regulating forms that will define the parameters of this development type in other locations in town. This is called a form-based code and is used to achieve physical characteristics and functions. The purpose of this is largely to discover the elements of these regulating forms.

Introduction The material below will help you to understand the context of Priest River. Be sure that you study and understand the implication of this information before our August 28 site visit.
Basic Information about Priest River

County: Bonner

Population in July 2008: 1,913. Population change since 2000: +9.1%. This growth rate is slightly more than 1% per year.

Population history
2000 - 1,754
1990 - 1,560
1980 - 1,639
1970 - 1,493
1960 - 1,749
1950 - 1,592
1940 - 1,056
1930 - 949
1920 - 545
1910 - 248
1900 - 280

Priest River like many Idaho towns is not ethnically diverse.
White Non-Hispanic (93.9%)
American Indian (3.4%)
Two or more races (2.9%)
Hispanic (1.6%)
Other race (0.5%)

The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.09.

Males: 936 (49.0%)
Females: 977 (51.0%)

Median resident age: 35.2 years
Idaho median age: 33.2 years

Estimated median household income in 2007: $35,381 (it was $26,765 in 2000)
Priest River: $35,381
Idaho: $46,253

The per capita income for the city was $14,125. About 14.0% of families and 18.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over. This is quite high compared to other communities.

Estimated per capita income in 2007: $18,989
Priest River: $18,989
Idaho: $23,105

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $143,639 (it was $77,500 in 2000)
Priest River: $143,639
Idaho: $178,100

Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $156,749; Detached houses: $160,757; Townhouses or other attached units: $178,123; In 2-unit structures: $106,851; Mobile homes: $59,974


2008 cost of living index in Priest River: 86.9 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

The unemployment rate in Priest River is 10.30 percent(U.S. avg. is 8.50%). Recent job growth is Negative. Priest River jobs have Decreased by 2.20 percent.

There are about 16 students per teacher in Priest River.

The Priest River Timber Day Festival, Octoberfest along with the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center, provide history and activities relating to the surrounding industry.


History

For the images below: Use of any photos is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from The Bonner County Historical Society or Sandpoint.com

http://www.sandpoint.com/OldPhotos

 
 

"Taken around 1900, this Priest River photograph shows the old jail and courthouse, which is the building in the left center of the picture."

 

 

July 4 1917-18

 

 

July 4 1917-18

 

   
 

A Short History of Priest River
Adapted from an article by Marylyn Cork

The Kalispel Indians were the first inhabitants of the Pend Oreille River Valley. The Seneacquoteen historic marker on Highway 2, eight miles east of town, marks the Indian Campground and river crossing where the old Indian Trail to British Columbia joined the wagon road from Walla Walla, Washington. The name “Priest” is believed to have been derived from the Kalispel Indian word. ’Kaniksu,” meaning “Black Robe,” the name the Indians gave to the Jesuit missionary priests who worked among them. Priest Lake, a resort area to the north on State Highway 57, was referred to as Kaniksu Lake on some old maps.

Priest River is truly a “town that logs built.” Ever since the early the 1890s when Italians from southern Italy immigrated to hew ties for the Great Northern Railroad, the woods product industry was the base of Priest River’s economy. The town’s first sawmill was built in 1897 as the demand for lumber increased. Logs were driven down the Priest River to the sawmills from 1901 to 1949. This dependence on natural resource extraction has been a both a blessing and a curse. There have been periodic fluctuations in the timber based economy over the years, but recent efforts to expand and diversify the economy have helped to reduce this depencence. Today timber is important to the community’s economic.

Sandpoint, the county seat, is where the first white settlers established themselves, in 1888 or 1889. Many immigrants from the Great Lakes states, arrived to take advantage of the plentiful timber. By 1920, according to the census, Priest River was the fastest growing town in North Idaho. Answering the Great Northern Railroad's call for laborers, Italians began arriving by 1892.

The original town if Priest River was situated on the east side of the Priest River at Keyser’s Slough, near the confluence of the Priest and the Pend Oreille. It was moved to its present location, on higher ground, following the great Pend Oreille River flood of 1894. The Italian immigrants settled an area on the east side of the original town that became known as the Italian Settlement. Italian immigration continued until about 1920. Priest River was known as “Little Italy” until well into the 1950s.

From 1901 through 1949, an annual log drive on the Priest River took place each spring as the timber was harvested into the Priest Lake country. The drive was the last log drive to take place in the lower 48 except for the Clearwater drive, also in Idaho. The drive on the Priest River gave rise to an annual Loggers Celebration, which lasted through 1980. Today, the town celebrates its logging heritage with Priest River Timber Days, on the last Saturday of July.

The Albeni Falls Dam was constructed on the Pend Oreille River in the early 1950s to prevent spring flooding. There is an excellent visitor center and viewing area. It is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers headquarters, who also maintain several campgrounds in the Priest River area with excellent facilities for camping, swimming, boating and picnicking.

The yellow and white house at the south end of Main Street was built by the first white pioneer, Henry Keyser in 1895. The structure was moved to its current location and contains the Chamber offices and a Timber Education Center and Museum.

For more information on the History of Priest River please visit the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center at 301 Montgomery Street, or give us a call at 448-2721

Sources

Marylyn Cork. http://www.priestriver-id.gov/history.html
http://sandpoint.web.infoseek.co.jp/cities/priestriver.html
http://www.priestriver.org/chamber/history.html

 

 

http://sandpoint.web.infoseek.co.jp/cities/priestriver.html

The City Attractions
Albeni Falls Dam
Located some 3.5 miles west of the town of Priest River, Albeni Falls Dam offers an excellent information center with grassy parks and restroom facilities. Guided tours of the powerhouse can be arranged during the summer months. Open mid-June through Labor Day, tours are given on the hour from 10:00 to 4:00 daily.


Copyright(C) US Army Corps of Engineers
Description: Albeni Falls Dam sits on the Pend Oreille River. Behind the dam, the waters of the Pend Oreille stretch 65 miles through a glacially carved valley that separates three mountain ranges. Rimed by mountains that rise 6,500 feet, Lake Pend Oreille is one of the largest and deepest natural lakes in the western United States. In some areas, it plunges to a depth of 1,237 feet. Forests and mountains, clear water, sandy beaches and excellent trout fishing are a few of the many attractions of this large lake.

Location : 2376 E HWY2 Oldtown, ID 83822-9243

Albeni Falls Visitor Center
Two miles east of the Washington/Idaho border on US Highway 2, the Albeni Falls Visitor Center is the place to start your visit to the area. Informational brochures are available, or talk to a ranger for ideas on places to visit and things to see. Here you can overlook Albeni Falls Dam, enjoy your lunch, stroll through the visitor center exhibits, and take a tour of the dam. Drinking water and restrooms are available.

Copyright(C) US Army Corps of Engineers

Priest Lake State Park
Noted for its clear water, Priest Lake extends 19 miles and is connected to the smaller Upper Priest Lake by a placid, two-mile-long thoroughfare. The stately Selkirk Mountain Range towers nearby.

Priest Lake State Park has an abundance of beautiful scenery and recreation opportunities. Park trails follow giant cedar-hemlock forests and crystal clear creeks. By traveling the rugged roads originating from either of the two park units and heading east into the mountains, you may see white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, coyote, or mountain goat. The lake feeds the Priest River, and the Dickensheet Unit at the park is a popular entry point for raft and canoe trips down the river. Many of Idaho's most beautiful and scenic spots are preserved in the Idaho State Parks system.

Location : Indian Cr. Bay No.423 Coolin ID 83821

Copyright(C) Idaho State Park

Priest River Municipal Airport
Priest River Municipal Airport serves Priest River and Bonner County and is owned by Bonner County. The paved runway extends for 2950 feet. The facility is at an elevation of 2187 feet at a distance of about one mile from Priest River.

Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars
Walk through a virgin forest with trees up to 12 feet in diameter and 150 feet tall. Near the Grove, take the short trail that leads to Granite Falls, where cool cascades of white water spray the moss-covered rocks.

Copyright(C) Priest Lake Chamber of Commerce

West Bonner Library
West Bonner, serving an area of 3,000 residents, has a collection of 12,600 books and periodicals; in addition, there are 100 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, as well as 78 video items, such as DVDs and VHS tapes. Internet terminals are available for use by the general public.

Staffing consists of 3 employees, including one fully accredited librarian, plus volunteers. Annual expenditures on the library collection total $3,800. Patrons make 10,500 visits annually, and check out materials 13,800 times. Thirty-eight percent of all check-outs are children's materials.

Location : 209 High St Priest River ID 83856

4H PARK
Situated at the corner of Fourth and Jackson Streets next to the Senior Center. This park was developed by the 4-H Club and their leaders as a service project. The park offers 2 picnic tables and is adjacent to the city' s tennis courts and basketball court. There are restroom facilities at this park.

Copyright(C) City of Priest River

PRIEST RIVER CITY PARK
This park is situated on High Street and is about 6 blocks West of the downtown area. The park was recently designed and reconstructed and is ADA accessible, including the restroom facilities. The park features 5-picnic tables and a complete play area for children. Also, a covered pavilion with a BBQ pit is a favorite spot for locals or quests to relax in a quiet atmosphere for lunch and picnicking with the whole family. The park is the site for the City' s annual Timberfest activities. It is also a very popular destination for school picnics where kids can romp around safely.

Copyright(C) City of Priest River

WEST BONNER COUNTY PARK
Located on Railroad Avenue just East of the Merritts' Bridge on the North bank of the Pend Oreille River. This park offers a small pavilion with a BBQ grill pit. There are 3-picnic tables and playground equipment for children. This park also has a boat launch and plenty of parking. From this launch, you can access miles of the Pend Oreille River and Lake Pend Oreille some 25 miles East of the river.

Copyright(C) City of Priest River

PRIEST RIVER RECREATION AREA
Located on the banks of the Priest River just upstream from the Pend Oreille River. The Priest River Wildlife area is adjacent to this park offering wonderful opportunities for bird watching and walking the dogs. The campground offers 20 campsites (no hookups) and 5 biking campsites. Other amenities include a dump station, showers, a boat ramp, a playground, a shelter, a baseball field and a swimming beach.

Copyright(C) US Army Corps of Engineers

ALBENI COVE
Albeni Cove Recreation Area is located 500 yards upstream of Albeni Falls Dam and Pend Oreille. The campground offers 14 campsites (no-hook ups or showers) situated amongst the firs, cedars and pines overlooking the Pend Oreille. Other amenities include a boat ramp, swim beach, and small picnic area.

Copyright(C) US Army Corps of Engineers

RILEY CREEK
Situated on the banks of the Pend Oreille River is the largest recreation area for the Albeni Falls Project. There are 67 campsites to choose from. There are no hookups of any kind. This area includes a dump station, hot showers, a boat ramp, boat basin, pay phone, a playground, a bicycle/hiking trail, two shelters, horseshoe pits, a place to walk your dog and a swimming beach.

Copyright(C) US Army Corps of Engineers

Quoted from Online Highways, Official Site, Priestrive.org

   
   
 

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/945073/jd_lumber_in_priest_river_idaho_is.html

JD Lumber in Priest River, Idaho is Shutting Down
September 05, 2008 by
Jennifer Wright


How Will This Affect the Small Town of Priest River, Idaho
JD Lumber of Priest River Idaho has recently announced to its workers that the mill will be shutting its doors and more than 200 people will be faced with unemployment. The lumber mill has sold to one of its competitors Riley Creek Lumber. The local papers say that Riley Creek will not operate the mill this winter, but will complete an evaluation by next spring.

Priest River has a population slightly fewer than 2,000. This small town has one grocery store, two auto parts stores, one stop light, and two gas stations. The closure of JD Lumber is going to impact every one of the businesses in this town. The lumber mills have dominated Priest Rivers workforce for years. JD Lumber itself is 26 years old and locally owned. Towns' people thought for sure it would be one of the last to go. JD Lumber was the only sawmill in all of Bonner County in 1982, just a short 26 years ago.

The sale to Riley Creek includes the mills plant, property, equipment and some of the timber contracts. According to the local paper JD Lumber says that they will keep their forestry staff and clerk to help with the transition to Riley Creek Lumber. Another local paper says that the sale does not include the JD Lumbers timberlands or forestry operations. Riley Creek Lumber also owns three other mills in northern Idaho, some of which are operating on only one shift right now.

Throughout the history of the timber industry, seasonal layoffs have been common. Sawmill employees are used to this sort of thing; however a permanent closure was never expected. A majority of these employees that will be losing their jobs between now and September have no idea what they are going to do for an income. Several of the workers have been with JD Lumber for close to 20 years and know nothing else but millwork. Some employees are up to fourth generation mill workers. Saw mills are in the blood of this small town.

JD Lumber is not the only Sawmill that has been struggling, it is nationwide. The economy and the fall in the housing markets have led to near historic lows in the prices of lumber. Mills everywhere have shut down or eliminated shifts.

   
  Welcome to beautiful Priest River, the Cross Roads of the North Idaho Panhandle. Priest River is an expanding community of 1800 people that prides itself on a small town atmosphere and quality of life. We are a small North Idaho town that has two navigable water ways (the Priest and Pend Oreille Rivers) within its boundaries. Beautiful mountains and wildlife surround us.

I am privileged to serve as Mayor of this wonderful small town. We continue to strive to improve our community through infrastructure improvements, business diversification, and community involvement. Our community is within minutes of skiing in the winter, golfing in the spring, boating in the summer, and hiking in the fall. We welcome everyone to come and take a look at what we have now, and the future we have planned for our community. We think you will fall in love with what you will find.

Jim Martin
Mayor

Mayor & Council

Mayor Jim Martin

Jim was born and raised in Priest River and is a 4th Generation Priest River area resident. He attended Priest River Lamanna High School and graduated in 1986. He later attended college and received his BA from Eastern Washington University. After graduating from EWU, Jim attended graduate school at Arizona State University before receiving his Masters Degree from the University of Montana.

Jim was first elected to the City Council in November 1997 and was sworn in to his first term in January 1998. After serving two terms on the City Council, Jim was elected Mayor in 2005 and was sworn in as Mayor in January 2006.

Jim is employed full time managing the Juvenile Detention Center for Bonner County. Jim and his wife Kerri also own a telecommunications business. When he does have a little free time he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family. His grandfather, mother, brother, sister, and their families all live in the Priest River area.

Jim has been married to Kerri for 12 years and has two stepsons and one grandson. He enjoys working with the people in the community and is looking forward to growth and making Priest River the place to live, work, and visit.

________________________________________
Councilman Jeff Connely

Jeff was born Priest River in 1958 and raised, attending school and graduating. He has been married for 23 years to his beautiful wife Kris, and they have had two wonderful children.

Jeff has worked in the timber industry throughout his career, and enjoys every minute of it. He has been active in the Priest River Youth Association, the Priest River Chamber of Commerce and the Stewardship Committee.

Jeff was elected as a Council member in 2001and took office in 2002. He is serving as the Parks and Fire Commissioner, and is currently heading up a skateboard park for the youth of the area.

He enjoys snowmobiling and hunting. He also loves to fish, but never seems to get the chance, as he is very busy.
________________________________________
Councilman Doug Wagner

I have been married for 31 years to Judy and we have two daughters; Christina and Jennifer. Christina and Scott have given us three grandchildren; Connor, Gracie, and Brooklyn. I graduated from Newport High School in 1974 and have resided in Priest River since 1976.

I was re-elected by the community for the City Council position of 2008-2012. I was a past council man from 2004-2008 and from 1992-1996. I am very active in the community. I was a past president and member of the Lions Club for the past 10 years, currently a member of the West Pend Oreille Fire District for the past 26 years, and was an EMT for Priest River Ambulance for 8 years.

I enjoy being a part of the community. I am currently a member of the West Bonner County Park Commission, a member of the Bonner County EMS Advisory Board, and a member of the Priest River Chamber of Commerce.

I truly enjoy spending time with my family. My wife and I enjoy camping, 4-wheeling, fishing, and spending time with our kids and three grandchildren.
________________________________________

Councilwoman Peggy George

Peggy George has lived in Priest River since the spring of 1990. Born and raised in Idaho, she and her family relocated for her husband’s logging business. She is employed with Avista Utilities as a construction project coordinator.

Peggy holds an Associate of Business from North Idaho College. She is active in the Priest River Park’s Commission and the Urban Renewal Committee. She is married to her husband, Bob, has two grown children and two grandchildren. She enjoys golfing, boating and spending time with her family.
________________________________________
Councilman Rob Perkins

I was born and raised in Louisiana. At 20 years old I joined the US Army. I was honorably discharged after serving 3 years and 9 months. I received a 3 month early out discharge upon my return from Desert Storm where I served as loader/tank commander for my Battalion Commander.

Upon a short visit to my old home in Louisiana, I moved to Priest River to be closer to my future bride Rushelle Cliff. Rushelle and I got married in 1993 and have three sons, Jacob 12, Justin 10, and Jeremy 8. Upon moving to Priest River, I went to work for my future in-laws, Roy and Linda Cliff, running a skidder.

Shortly after I went to work for Ponderay Newsprint and after 6 years, I started my own business, Allwest Hardscapes, Inc. After many years, I sold that business and opened Northwest Stone and Hardscape Supply, Inc in Hayden Idaho. For now, I commute to Hayden daily and could not imagine living in any other town than my new home, Priest River.

City Hall

The Office of the City Clerk

The office of the Priest River City Clerk is an administrative public-service division that maintains a complete and accurate record of all City Council proceedings; preserves and presents vital city records; conducts city-wide elections; supports the legislative work of the Mayor and City Council; codifies and presents the code of city ordinances; publishes legal and public notices; regulates specific business activities and animals; supervises and coordinates the administration of major financial services, receivables, and budgets; maintains, updates, and bills out over 800 utility accounts monthly; and provides prompt and courteous service to city residents, the Mayor, the City Council, and city staff.

   
   


Great-grandson of Charles Beardmore reconstructs building to meet LEED Gold certification

http://riverjournal.com/vivvo/rjatlarge/691.html

Priest River, Idaho ¾ July 14, 2009. Priest River’s venerable Beardmore Block has received the Grand Award for Adaptive Re-use at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference held in San Francisco, California. The conference recognizes architectural and construction excellence throughout the West.

In accepting the award, Seattle architect-owner Brian Runberg, University of Idaho graduate, said that the project “serves as an important precedent for the region that historic buildings can be preserved in an appropriate way.” It is one of only five buildings on the National Register of Historic Places that have received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. With the renaissance of the Beardmore Block, Runberg has succeeded in preserving the legacy of his great-grandfather, Charles Beardmore, an Idaho pioneer who in 1922 commissioned renowned architects Whitehouse and Price to construct the building for his then-growing timber and mining businesses.

In awarding the honor, judges noted that the project “demonstrates that preservation of existing features can be integrated with sustainable design strategies while creating a revitalization of Priest River’s historic downtown.” They were impressed with the way in which existing materials had been refurbished and reused in many areas, while reconstruction also adhered to the sustainable standards of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program.

Runberg is most enthused that the reopening of the historic building is contributing to the overall rebirth of Priest River, a town reeling from the downturn in the timber industry and the loss of nearby mills. “It’s the kingpin of the Priest River downtown historic core,” according to Don Watts of the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office. “It’s a great example of early 20th-century architecture and design.” As the centerpiece of the historic district, the renovated building attracts tenants who value both its unique historic character and green qualities. Noni, a wine bar in a first-floor space, has become so popular that it is causing parking problems in Priest River for the first time in many years.

To meet the requirements for LEED Gold certification, almost all of the material that came out of the Beardmore Block during its renovation was recycled. Over 95 % of the original structural material remains, and over half of the nonstructural material is also original, including most of the wood used in the renovation.

The roof was rebuilt to drain to a cistern in the basement that provides for tenants’ nonpotable water needs. New insulation dramatically increases thermal efficiency, and energy efficient light fixtures have garnered the building a significant rebate from its utility provider. Photovoltaic cells will provide additional onsite renewable energy. As a result, says Runberg, the Beardmore Block is 40-50% more efficient than a new building built today with current energy standards.

To maintain historic integrity, Runberg drew on his personal knowledge of the building as well as on the recollections of his late grandmother, Vivienne Beardmore McAlexander, whose 18th birthday was celebrated at the Beardmore Block’s opening in 1923. The original window frames were removed, reconstructed to hold thermal glass, and replaced. Artistic flourishes, such as the leaded glass tiles on the transoms above the doors and the tile entrance floor, were rebuilt or refurbished. Even many of the original plumbing fixtures remain, having been reconstructed to reduce water use.

The Beardmore Block is at 119 Main Street in Priest River. Storefront and office space are both currently available in the building; interested parties should contact Sandpoint Rentals, (208) 448-1922 or ned@sandpointrentals.com. There is more information about the history of the building and the environmental aspects of its remodel at http://beardmoreblock.com/gallery.html.

Use of any photos is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from The Bonner County Historical Society or Sandpoint.com

 

Past Projects of This Studio


We have contributed to the positive planning and design efforts of many communities during the ten years that this combined studio has been doing outreach work. We have worked in these Idaho communities: Moscow, Orofino, Riggins, Grangeville, Harrison, Hayden, Sandpoint, Lewiston, Star, Rupert, New Meadows, McCall, Cascade, Priest River; these Washington communities - Clarkston ; and these Montana communities - Seeley Lake.

 

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