COEUR d'ALENE - Organizers hoping to build an event center in Riverstone have identified two parcels of land in the multi-use development where the 5,000-seat arena could go.

One site is about 10 acres and the other about 6. The 6-acre site is west of West Riverstone Drive and the 10-acre site is east of the drive. The 6-acre site is where Citylink's parking lot now sits.

Riverstone developer John Stone estimates the land's worth at $2.5 million, but he says he'll sell the land at its appraised value if North Idaho College moves forward with a purchase.

"That figure is a plug figure," Stone said about the $2.5 million estimate that's a part of the overall $20 million sports complex estimate. "It's really preliminary."

NIC has said it needs about 7 acres for the complex, but still hasn't pinpointed a site it prefers. The college is exploring the feasibility of bringing a multi-use arena to town, but already has unofficial support from the city's urban renewal agency, Lake City Development Corp., for up to $10 million in financial help should the project go.

The 10-acre site is divided between LCDC's two districts - Lake and River. If that site is chosen, LCDC Director Tony Berns said Wednesday, the agency would have to determine how to fund its commitment. The Lake District is heavily invested in McEuen Park and has limited funding for other projects. The River District, on the other hand, would be able to borrow up to $10 million. The 6-acre parcel resides entirely in the River District.

While Stone said he would part with land at the value a public appraisal brought back, Kootenai County's assessed value for the land is close to the $2.5 million estimate.

The approximately 6-acre parcel is assessed around $1.8 million, according to the county assessor's website. The 10-acre piece is assessed at roughly $3 million. Assessed values are different and usually less than an appraised market value.

Both sites are just off Seltice Way and visible from adjacent Interstate 90.

Stone said if Citylink is displaced from its current location because of the arena, it could still stay in Riverstone by locating across the street to the 10-acre plot.

Christine Fueston, Kootenai County transit administrator, said Citylink is interested in buying two of the three parcels that comprise the 6-acre lot to make it a permanent home for the free public transportation provider.

She said Citylink is aware of an arena possibility and doesn't have an opinion on where it ends up other than it wants to remain in Riverstone. A study in 2009 identified Riverstone as an ideal spot for the bus hub.

"We're aware of the project but we're not pushing it one way or the other," she said.

She said they will review recently completed appraisals before making an offer for the majority of the 6-acre plot.

Citylink has been at Riverstone since about 2008. It began paying a $1,750 monthly lease last year after staying years for free.

Fueston said a transit hub and multi-use facility could be neighbors with neither infringing on the other. In fact, she said, they could benefit each other through gained parking spots.

A conceptual design for the arena - which could also host trade shows and concerts among 75 or so events a year - was drawn up about two years ago by Patano + Hafermann Architects.

It shows a 5,000-seat pre-engineered, metal facility - almost like a warehouse but with a designed entrance - that would take six to seven months to construct.

Plans estimate it would cost around $15 million for the facility and land, while a $5 million endowment would be set up for operational costs.