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Council orders appraisal of Legacy Church building, schedules further reviews for Town Square and City Hall
Summary
After reviewing two master‑plan concepts for city facilities, the council voted to order a commercial appraisal of the Legacy Church building and later approved appraisals for City Hall and Town Square to inform next steps on the library and community center study.
The Liberty Lake City Council voted to obtain a commercial appraisal of the Legacy Church building and later authorized appraisals of the city hall and Town Square properties after a presentation on a facilities master plan.
Public works director Ben Turner and consultant BCRA presented two primary facility concepts that used existing buildings — the current library, the Legacy Church building, and the City Hall building — in different combinations to meet administrative and community needs. Options included relocating the library to the Legacy Church building and moving city administrative functions into the current library building; another option placed most city administration and council chambers at the Legacy Church site while leaving parks and community space in the existing facility.
Consultants said the Legacy Church building offers about 14,000 square feet and that converting existing structures will require code upgrades and other investments. Turner and BCRA emphasized the master plan is conceptual and that cost estimates are order‑of‑magnitude; the consultants used a February 2026 bid‑date assumption and noted the estimates include construction, soft costs and FF&E.
Councilmember Spencer asked staff whether departments preferred either option; staff said the two concepts reflected internal preferences and constraints. Councilmember Kennedy raised concerns about separating council chambers from staff work areas and emphasized the long‑standing community interest in a combined library and community center. Multiple council members asked for an appraisal of the Legacy Church building to help decide whether acquisition and conversion are practicable.
Council action: a motion to order an appraisal of the Legacy Church building carried 5–2. Later in the meeting, after additional discussion, council approved appraisals of City Hall and the Town Square property; that motion passed unanimously. Consult staff will return appraisals as they are completed and the city indicated appraisals may take 30–60 days depending on availability.
What the appraisals will inform: Council members said they want a commercial valuation to compare acquisition and conversion costs to alternatives (new construction, lease or other sequencing). The city also flagged code‑upgrade costs in consultant estimates as a significant factor that could push total project costs into the low‑ to mid‑millions depending on scope.
Ending: The council did not select a preferred concept; instead it directed staff to obtain property appraisals and return with more detailed cost reconciliation and sequencing options at future meetings.
