POST FALLS - A city center site will be examined for ground contamination from 102 years of industrial use and may result in the latest urban renewal project to help revitalize the former downtown.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality will assess the property at Fourth and Spokane occupied by French Cleaners and Sand's Auto in the near future.

Depending whether there is indeed contamination, the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency would apply for a cleanup grant to assist with remediation costs and possibly chip in on what the grant doesn't cover.

It's possible the agency could also buy the property in its effort to clean up a deteriorated area.

Len Crosby, the URA's former chairman and an urban renewal activist, said he has concerns about the agency getting involved.

"The Urban Renewal Agency is apparently planning on stepping into the chain of ownership on that property and using public tax dollars to not only purchase the property from the owner, but also, to the extent that they are not able to secure grant money for remediation of the problem, to clean it up," Crosby said.

He said that transfers the cost and liability associated with a "known pollution problem directly to the public."

Several businesses have occupied the site over the years, including a gas station, auto repair shops and an auto parts store. The site is in the City Center Urban Renewal District and part of the agency's mission is to improve blighted areas with tax-increment funding.

Skip Sand, who owns the building and Sand's Auto and is leasing French Cleaners, said he would consider selling the property in the future and has purchased investment property at Second and Spokane, but the site on Fourth would be difficult to sell with contamination concerns.

Sand has mixed feelings about the project on the site he paid $300,000 for seven years ago.

"It's a little scary because if it does come back bad (with contamination), it will probably bite us," he said. "I'm gambling that it's OK. We couldn't build another building like it for less than a half-million dollars."

On the other hand, he's thankful there's interest in getting to the bottom of environmental concerns so he can better make future decisions with his property.

"It may be worth a whole lot more if the assessment is done," he said.

The city is taking a wait-and-see approach to the project.

The site is across the street from City Hall, the chamber of commerce and medical offices, all built in recent years. The sidewalk and curbing was improved in front of the building as part of the Fourth Street revitalization project.

"It would be great to have this corner improved to continue with the improvement of the city center," said Eric Keck, the city's administrator.

No urban renewal funds have been spent on the project yet.

"We will not know if we will or how much the potential would be for a few more months," said Tom Lien, the agency's executive director.