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Council directs staff to issue RFP for Chapin Building to find sustainable reuse
Summary
Council authorized staff to solicit letters of interest and full proposals for reuse of the Chapin Building at 4th and Spokane, asking for concepts that preserve historic character while making the building financially sustainable; the historical society indicated it may respond.
Council directed staff to pursue a request for proposals to find a sustainable reuse for the Chapin Building at 4th and Spokane Street, a downtown historic property currently used by the Post Falls Historical Society under a license.
Staff said the building—previously occupied by the police department and later operated as a museum—has ongoing moisture and crawl‑space issues and that the historical society lacks the resources to maintain it at present. The city and the historical society discussed options ranging from a mixed use (coffee/shop with historical exhibits) to park‑and‑rec options, and staff recommended a two‑step solicitation: six weeks for a letter of interest, then up to three months for full proposals from respondents the city invites to proceed.
Staff said adding the CMGC contract approval earlier in the meeting would not affect this item and that the request would include clear historic‑preservation compatibility criteria and a requirement that proposers address known maintenance needs (including the unresolved water intrusion under the building).
Councilors emphasized preserving the historical society’s collection and coordinating with the society if a tenant is chosen; they voted to proceed with the RFP process by roll call with unanimous approval.
What’s next: staff will post a letter‑of‑interest solicitation, accept submissions, and then work with interested proposers on full proposals for council review.
