Work is officially underway on Rathdrum’s new City Hall.

City leaders joined Walker Construction and Architects West on Friday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony on the 30-acre site on Lancaster Road, across from the North Idaho College Parker Center and KTEC.

The $13-15 million project is being funded by municipal savings.

“This project was first envisioned by the mayor and city council back in the early 2000s,” said city administrator Leon Duce. “They started to save back then for this project.”

The Lancaster Road parcel was purchased by the city in 2015, and public input for the building’s design has been collected since 2022.

Mayor Mike Hill emphasized the vision of City Hall as a “community location” during the groundbreaking ceremony.

In addition to housing City Hall, the Rathdrum Police Department and Parks and Recreation, an 8-acre community park is planned for the site. The parcel is also zoned for future commercial buildings along the Lancaster Road frontage.

What’s more, the new council chambers will be “four times the capacity” of the current chambers at 8047 W. Main St. 

“The new city hall design takes into account the next 20 years of growth with room for expansion if needed,” Duce said. 

The existing City Hall, Police Department and Parks and Rec buildings will likely be sold or repurposed, Duce previously told The Press. 

The city is anticipating a move-in date of summer 2027, barring unforeseen delays.  

    Final conceptual drawing of Rathdrum's future City Hall, which is designed to be a shadow image of Rathdrum Mountain, by Architects West.