Just in time for Ironman, the much-touted, weakly-justified, questionably-obtained, curiously-priced, LCDC-funded, unplanned, emergency bunker was installed in City Park today.
I’m glad that this episode is over.
The bunker as seen from the north, looking south. It’s a lot smaller than I pictured it, but also not as ugly as the term “concrete structure” implies.
The sign says, “City of Coeur d’Alene Police & Fire Public Safety Building.” I feel safer already.
The south side of the building. Yes, it’s skinny. No bathrooms.
The lovely path leading up to the building where helpful, mostly elderly volunteers drinking coffee will be eager to dial 911 for you.
A look at the building’s rump. Double-doors, ideal for wheeling in some massive coffee makers and refrigerators.
Be fearful you basketball-playing scofflaws! The bunker has landed!
Great pictures, Dan. Thanks!
Am I correct in assuming it is not yet finished and ready for the public to use?
Comment by Bill — October 22, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
Is your question one of assuming that it’s not fully installed or are you assuming that the public has any use for this building?
The thing still has yellow tape around it. It’s not connected to any utilities. I looks like they may backfill in some gravel or dirt around it. I suppose that’s coming.
I’d like to touch it to see whether it’s really concrete or not.
Comment by Dan — October 22, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
It didn’t look as if the electrical had been hooked up yet. And I’m assuming the Mayor, the City Council, the LCDC, the Fire Chief, and the Police Chief will all want to have their pictures taken at a formal dedication ceremony.
Comment by Bill — October 22, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
All that dude needs is a ‘hot dog’ sign and it’s ready to rock and roll. How much for this thing again? It looks like a weekend JayCees project. I’m guessing around 225 square feet. That’s roughly $225 per square foot using $50K for purchase. No plumbing, no stairs, no gas, just floor, doors, walls ceiling and electricity. It’s nice, really, really nice. And such a bargain too.
Comment by Wallypog — October 22, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
I hope they add icicle lights for a festive holiday touch.
Comment by Susie Snedaker — October 22, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
Wallypog,
“Hot dog stand” was exactly my reaction when I saw Dan’s photos.
In the information the City provided in its response to my public records request, the building was supposed to measure 14′ x 26′, it was to cost just under $50K installed by the vendor, it was to have only one pedestrian door and one outside light. As Dan’s photos clearly show, there is a second ped door in back, and there is a light over each opening.
That would calculate out to approximately 364 square feet (I presume that’s footprint, not useable area), so the cost would be approximately $137/ft2. That does not include any additional costs the City may have incurred (ground prep, utility hookup, etc.).
I saw Police Captain Steve Childers on KXLY last night commenting that it gives the police more presence in the park. $50K is an awful lot of money to have spent on a project intended mainly to pay back Ironman Inc. for its $50K donation to the Kroc Center and to make the Downtown Association feel like it has more “police presence.” I still contend that a locked, shuttered,
and dark “hot dog stand” with a sign that says Police and Fire Public Safety Building indicates a police absence, not a police presence.
Comment by Bill — October 23, 2008 @ 7:52 am
I guessed at the 26 foot length but that building is not 14 feet wide. The width of that end door is no larger than 3 feet. That is what I factored into my rough dimensions. Anybody interested in measuring that thing and reporting the facts? Even at $137 a square foot it is a complete rip off. But I am certain it is not 14 X 26 and not 364 square feet. If it was the side of the thing would be half as wide as its length.
Comment by Wallypog — October 23, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Wallypog,
I agree. If the end door is a 3′-0″ door, it’s closer to 10′ deep. My information came from the City in a public records request back when I wrote the first of five-part Toilet Not Included series. The front rollup window was supposed to be 6′-0″, and it appears to be. It is entirely possible that the specifications changed during the intervening time to compensate for cost increases or to offset other considerations. If the City did indeed pay $50K of our tax dollars for an even smaller building than originally spec’d, the ripoff was even larger.
Comment by Bill — October 23, 2008 @ 1:12 pm