Idaho Falls council hears Frontier Center renovation update; private donors cover majority of cost

At a City Council meeting, Pam (Health Services) and architect Roxanne Michael updated council on the Frontier Center renovation, saying construction is roughly 70% complete and the city is aiming for substantial project milestones this winter and spring.

The renovation expands the lobby by about 6,600 square feet, adds multiple new restrooms and family-accessible facilities, and includes new lighting and signage. "Construction is about 70% complete," Pam told the council, and staff are "estimating the completion to be February" with fixtures and signage roughly complete by March and a public celebration planned for spring.

Staff said the construction contract was awarded to Construction Solutions Company at about $7.19 million and that change orders tied to construction work have been small (staff cited approximately 0.7%). The project also includes a separate graphics and lighting contract approved at $256,000.

Funding for the project comes from a mix of private and public sources. Pam said Frontier Credit Union pledged $4.4 million tied to a 50-year advertising agreement; ARPA provided $900,000; the CHC Foundation awarded a $500,000 grant specifically for the upper mezzanine and that reimbursement was received in September. The Civic Foundation (the 501(c)(3) set up to support the project) is projected to deliver additional pledged support over a multi-year schedule. Pam told the council that "over 80% of this project has been funded with private partnerships, foundation donors, and that just really makes it a great partnership project for the community."

Councilors pressed for clarity on phases and costs. Pam said Phase 1 (the auditorium renovation) cost about $1.8 million, with more than $1 million from private donations. Staff noted some outstanding repair work—primarily concrete and parking-lot overlay—estimated around $86,000 that the city hopes to address by leveraging the municipal overlay contract and Public Works resources.

The Civic Foundation recommended donor naming for several elements: the artistic lighting and signage in honor of Arthur and Annalise Cole, and the musical pathway and railing for the Willard Gen Charitable Foundation. Pam asked council for feedback on those naming recommendations.

Preservation was a recurring theme. Staff described a small tribute garden that will reuse elements of the historic facade grills to honor the original architects (Fetzer & Fetzer) and preserve character. On accessibility, Pam said the design does not include a new elevator due to cost and limited reach to balcony seating, but added ADA-compliant improvements including new restrooms and balcony railings to make upper-level seating safer and accessible where feasible.

Councilors thanked volunteers and donors and emphasized outreach so residents understand the mix of private and public investment. Pam also noted a planned $250,000 distribution from the Civic Foundation to the city in January that city staff plan to leverage toward project costs.

Next steps: staff will continue construction work through winter, finish fixtures and signage in early spring, and bring any formal naming agreements or additional change orders back to council as required.