Council approves $256,250 contract for Frontier Center lobby signage as expansion funding nears goal

The Idaho Falls City Council on Tuesday approved a not-to-exceed $256,250 contract for signage and lighting fabrication for the Frontier Center's lobby expansion.

Municipal services director Pam Alexander told council the amount is based on a rough order of magnitude from a fabricator and includes upper/lower estimates and contingencies. The city advertised the work, interviewed two firms and the evaluation committee recommended Graphics MFG.

Why it matters: Council members and staff emphasized the project is largely funded by private donations and grants. Alexander said private pledges and foundation grants have covered more than 87% of the construction costs to date and that the civic capital campaign balance will be roughly $616,000 by 2029.

Councilor comments: Several councilors and staff described the expansion as a major arts investment and a match for earlier renderings. "It is coming along beautifully," a council liaison said during the meeting, praising donors and the design. Another councilor said the artistic elements are being funded largely by private contributions and will not cost taxpayers for the artistic elements.

The vote: Council approved the contract on a roll-call vote; one councilor voted no and the motion carried.

Details: Alexander said the project originally carried an estimate of about $300,000 for lobby elements; the recommended contract amount is under that estimate. Donor pledges discussed at the meeting included a five-year pledge of $4.4 million from a credit union and a $500,000 grant from the CHC Foundation; staff said donations exceed a large portion of the construction contract and campaign fundraising continues.

Next steps: Staff will execute the contract and begin fabrication of signage and lighting components for the lobby expansion. The council publicly discussed a projected grand opening in early 2026.