Kootenai County staff propose additional blinds, report lower-than-expected SkyBridge joint quote

Kootenai County staff told commissioners on April 15 that they are considering adding interior and exterior blinds throughout the new Justice Building to improve privacy and thermal performance, and reported a lower-than-expected quote for a SkyBridge expansion joint.

David Mendez of Turner & Townsend said the SkyBridge expansion joint estimate the project team received was $27,000, down from the $30,000 figure on a spreadsheet he had provided two weeks earlier; he said he was waiting for written confirmation from the project architect and expected to have that for the board at the next meeting. "The spreadsheet that I gave you two weeks ago is still what I'm working from," Mendez said. "The estimate was $30,000, and the number that came in is $27,000, so I will have that later this week for the board." (David Mendez, Turner & Townsend)

Director Jeff Folar presented a separate proposal for window coverings. Staff obtained a local bid to add 127 blinds — a mix of interior and exterior units targeted to office areas rather than common spaces — at a total price of $68,651. Folar said that figure averages to about $540 per blind and that exterior units include greater thermal protection. He also provided commissioners with plan drawings highlighting which windows would receive interior versus exterior blinds.

Folar said the project team had discussed scaling back exterior blinds, particularly on the third floor prosecutor offices where sightlines are high; he estimated removing exterior blinds on that floor could reduce the total by roughly 25 percent. He also raised the option of an interior glazing treatment such as an obscure film as an alternative to exterior blinds and said staff had requested a more detailed price breakdown between interior and exterior units but had not yet received it.

Commissioners asked about product durability and longevity; one commissioner noted the existing blinds in the commissioners' office had lasted many years and asked whether the new product would be similarly durable. Folar replied he expected the new blinds to last several years but acknowledged product quality can vary.

No formal decision or vote was taken; staff said they would return with the architect's confirmation on the SkyBridge joint price and a breakdown of interior versus exterior blind pricing so the board could consider next steps.

Ending: Staff will provide the architect confirmation and the requested price breakdown at a future meeting so commissioners can decide whether to authorize the additional blinds or pursue glazing alternatives.