The future of the old Romer Building at 627 Government Way remains unknown.

“We don’t want to be stuck with it,” Commissioner Chris Fillios said Monday. “It was purchased for the land in the fall of 2017.”

The building has since been determined to have historical value. Community members have come forward to advocate for its preservation.

In response to the community, the county is weighing its options. The county may be able to lease the property or sell the property with deed restrictions to prevent the house from being knocked down, commissioners have said. County planners have also been in conversation with the city of Coeur d’Alene. The property could be considered in a land swap with the city for approximately 40 acres on Fernan Lake.

“We’ll have a decision by the end of March or the building will come down,” Commissioner Bill Brooks said Monday, whether with a hint of sarcasm is unclear.

Coeur d’Alene Economic Development Corporation (Jobs Plus) toured the Romer Building but has yet to reach out to consider a lease. In the tour it was determined that the building would need to be brought up to code in order to be usable.

Josh Wise, Economic Development Specialist at CdaEDC, said the organization is still reviewing options.

Kootenai County, among other entities, funds CdaEDC, a nonprofit economic development corporation.

“If they occupied the Romer building, instead of paying rent, we’d reduce their funding,” Fillios said.

The extra space in the 5,000-square-foot house would be sublet to other organizations in the community. At this point, though, commissioners have no action planned regarding the Romer building.

“Our primary responsibility is to taxpayers,” Fillios added. “The real issue is that taxpayer money is being held up. Renovations will be costly.”