POST FALLS - There's a final snag to getting the Greensferry overpass built.

The Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency has decided to start the condemnation process for the River City Dentistry property needed for right of way to build the structure because a purchase agreement hasn't been reached after more than two months of talks with the owner.

The dental building, which faces Interstate 90 on Schneidmiller Avenue and is on the south side of the freeway, is owned by Santorini, LLC. It was appraised at $1 million, also the price offered to the limited liability corporation.

In addition to the price for the property to be given to Santorini, tenants in the complex will be offered relocation and tenant improvement funds toward their moves.

"We believe it's certainly fair," URA Chairman Jerry Baltzell said of the offer. "We've tried hard to negotiate with the individual, but (an agreement) just hasn't happened. During this process, we have every intention to continue to negotiate with the owner."

"This is the only way to move forward. The contractor (Ralph L. Wadsworth of Draper, Utah) has indicated the need to move forward as further delays could be costly to the project. We need to get something started. It's the public's money that is going to fund this project. Everybody needs to be fair about it."

The URA is funding the $15 million overpass at Greensferry Road.

Right-of-way negotiations have been going on for more than two months. The URA must follow state and federal requirements during the purchase process.

Donna Schau, a managing partner in Santorini who operates her dental business in the facility, could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Doug Marfice, of the law firm of Ramsden and Lyons retained by Schau, said on Friday that the appraisal is being reviewed. He declined to comment further.

In a Nov. 6 letter to Johnston Hill of Right of Way Specialists, Marfice wrote that anyone associated with the project should have written permission from his office before accessing the property.

"Dr. Schau reports that there has been significant disruption to her practice recently by persons ostensibly accessing the property for pre-construction planning purposes," Marfice wrote. "This is unacceptable. Until such time as the acquisition negotiations are complete, we will expect that our clients' property rights and access are respected."

Baltzell said the dental property is the only site the URA has run into a snag with during the right-of-way acquisition process. The only other building that will need to be moved is an old home directly south of the River City Dentistry building.

The operator of Financial Strategies, which is another tenant of Santorini's building, couldn't be reached for comment.

Construction of the overpass on the north side of the freeway and in the median is expected to start in early December. Utility relocation in the corridor is underway.

However, Baltzell said there could become a time in which the snafu on the south side of the freeway affects the overall project and completion date, which is set for next fall.

"Time is of the essence," Baltzell said.

The first week of December will involve preparations for the project with workers and equipment on site and traffic-control measures put in place. The following week (Dec. 8), work will begin on bridge footings, embankment, footings, pier columns and pier caps. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held a month ago.

The project will improve connectivity, traffic mobility and emergency response between the business districts and residential areas north and south of the interstate.

When completed, the structure will feature two lanes in each direction, bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides.