POST FALLS — Seven years into the Post Falls Technology Urban Renewal District, the city council amended the plan, voting unanimously to approve an ordinance to better anticipate the coming of the Prairie Medical Campus. 

City Councilor Ryan Davis said the project would address the primary need he hears in the community regarding the future of Post Falls: infrastructure first. 

“I think this is a good opportunity for us to get the infrastructure in and I love the idea of the collaboration that’s taking place, so it makes perfect sense,” Davis said. 

Land south of Prairie Avenue had limited development information available in 2018, when the plan was initially crafted. But since the new medical campus and additional commercial and mixed-use growth are anticipated along Prairie Avenue, the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency identified a need to update the district plan to support development.  

Updates to streets, water, and wastewater infrastructure were included to support commercial and industrial development in the northeast area of Post Falls.  

“What they’re looking to do ultimately is to be able to complete Zoros and Fennecus in one fell swoop as opposed to incrementally,” Community Development Director Bob Seale said. 

Kootenai Health CEO Jamie Smith noted that the proposed amendment by North Idaho Health Care Holdings LLC represents a collaboration among Kootenai Health, MultiCare Health System, Parkwood Properties, and Lakeside Development. 

“It's our vision to create an anchor for this rapidly growing community,” Smith said. “It will be a major medical campus, it will be developed over time and phases, but at its maturity, it could exceed our Coeur d’Alene campus.” 

The changes to the campus will take place in phases and Kootenai Health will maintain the current location by Mullen Avenue in Post Falls, Smith stated. 

Mayor Ron Jacobson put his confidence in the developers behind the project and adjacent parcels.  

“I think it’s a win, so I would be very supportive of it,” Jacobson said. 

City Councilor Joe Malloy initially expressed that he was on the fence about the change to the plan. 

“In your professional opinion, do the pros outweigh the cons?” Malloy asked.    

“Yes, they do,” Seale said. “They ultimately get done in the near term and a property that was, you know, kind of touched on for future development is for future development. It helps with the Jacklin property to continue to develop out they envision it.” 

Updated infrastructure projects:

Prairie Medical Campus — Estimated costs are $1.1 million for public water and sewer infrastructure improvements in and around the campus, including Highway 41 right-in/right-out access and Prairie Avenue entrances and turn lanes. 

Zorros Improvements — Estimated 2025 costs are $917,000 for complete collector street improvements from Prairie Avenue to Prosper, including utilities. 

Prosper Improvements — Estimated costs are $2.75 million for complete collector street improvements from Highway 41 to Fennecus, adjacent to Prairie Medical Campus and a new city park, including utilities. 

Fennecus Improvements — Estimated costs are about $1.6 million for complete collector street improvements from Prairie Avenue to the planned connection point north of Hope Avenue, including utilities. 

City Councilor Nathan Ziegler said there is more value in moving and potentially saving Post Falls money in the long run. 

“Today's dollars are worth more than tomorrow’s dollars. Wouldn't it then be a better investment to do this sooner rather than later? That’s kind of what we’re driving for,” Ziegler said.