Potential Acquisition of the Federal Building
March 21, 2017
March 20, 2017 (Moscow, Idaho) — The City of Moscow and Gritman Medical Center have announced that they are partnering in discussions of facilities planning initiatives for both organizations. The City has recently completed a facilities master plan and comprehensive strategic plan, both of which have identified the need for replacement of the inadequate and inefficient 4th Street police station, as well as additional space needs. Gritman Medical Center is in the final stages of completion of a new medical office building near the hospital and is reviewing its ownership of property in terms of Gritman's vision for meeting the community's health care needs. As the City and Gritman assess their respective missions and the best use of available properties, the City has approached Gritman management to discuss the potential for the City to acquire the former Federal Building, located at 5th & Washington streets.
“Gritman is in the process of updating our strategic plan, which includes review of our Facility Master Plan and current Community Health Needs Assessment. These documents guide how Gritman can best serve our communities,” explains Kara Besst, Gritman President and CEO. “We appreciate the partnership and collaboration between Gritman and the City of Moscow. This initial exploratory conversation regarding the Federal Building is timely and we look forward to communicating more as the project develops.”
“The City is excited to partner with Gritman Medical Center as we are both working to provide excellent service in the most responsible way for Moscow and our community”, said Moscow Mayor Bill Lambert. “I am glad we are looking for a win-win situation which would allow the City to address many of its long-term space needs with the potential acquisition of the Federal Building, and assisting Gritman in providing the best medical facilities possible for our community.”
Discussions will take place over the next several months and if it is determined that the City's acquisition of the property would serve both the community's and Gritman's needs, a proposal will be brought forward to the Gritman Board of Directors and the Moscow City Council. It is anticipated that in order to purchase the building, the City would pursue public funding through a general obligation bond election in the spring of 2018. Should the bond election be successful, the purchase would be finalized fall of 2018. No changes to existing lease agreements would be considered until the end of 2018 or early 2019.
“We had originally planned on holding a general obligation bond election for spring 2017 which would address the police station as well as some other issues, such as the purchase of fire trucks and other public infrastructure needs, however the opportunity to investigate the possibility for purchase of the Federal Building is a new development and delaying the election until next year is the right thing to do,” said Lambert. “An opportunity to keep our facilities in the core of downtown makes good sense and we look forward to presenting the best possible solution to the community”.
Story Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
Phone: 208.883.7006
Email: griedner@ci.moscow.id.us
“Gritman is in the process of updating our strategic plan, which includes review of our Facility Master Plan and current Community Health Needs Assessment. These documents guide how Gritman can best serve our communities,” explains Kara Besst, Gritman President and CEO. “We appreciate the partnership and collaboration between Gritman and the City of Moscow. This initial exploratory conversation regarding the Federal Building is timely and we look forward to communicating more as the project develops.”
“The City is excited to partner with Gritman Medical Center as we are both working to provide excellent service in the most responsible way for Moscow and our community”, said Moscow Mayor Bill Lambert. “I am glad we are looking for a win-win situation which would allow the City to address many of its long-term space needs with the potential acquisition of the Federal Building, and assisting Gritman in providing the best medical facilities possible for our community.”
Discussions will take place over the next several months and if it is determined that the City's acquisition of the property would serve both the community's and Gritman's needs, a proposal will be brought forward to the Gritman Board of Directors and the Moscow City Council. It is anticipated that in order to purchase the building, the City would pursue public funding through a general obligation bond election in the spring of 2018. Should the bond election be successful, the purchase would be finalized fall of 2018. No changes to existing lease agreements would be considered until the end of 2018 or early 2019.
“We had originally planned on holding a general obligation bond election for spring 2017 which would address the police station as well as some other issues, such as the purchase of fire trucks and other public infrastructure needs, however the opportunity to investigate the possibility for purchase of the Federal Building is a new development and delaying the election until next year is the right thing to do,” said Lambert. “An opportunity to keep our facilities in the core of downtown makes good sense and we look forward to presenting the best possible solution to the community”.
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Story Contact: Gary J. Riedner, City Supervisor
Phone: 208.883.7006
Email: griedner@ci.moscow.id.us
