FVCC considers land deal

A proposed land swap could nearly double the size of the Flathead Valley Community College campus.

College trustees on Thursday agreed to have President Jane Karas negotiate a potential deal that would add 109 acres to the Kalispell campus in exchange for about 25 acres of its land. The college also would get some cash in the deal.

Karas told trustees of the land proposal at a special meeting Thursday called to approve a bid for $9.9 million in bond sales to upgrade and expand the campus.

The college was approached by Phil Harris, owner of Signature Theaters, to obtain 25 acres of a 40-acre parcel on the north end of the college property along U.S. 93.

The college land borders property where Harris will build a new theater complex just south of the Target store.

In exchange, the college would receive cash from Harris plus 109 acres of Stillwater River frontage that runs along the eastern border of the college to West Reserve Drive.

If a deal becomes final, the campus would grow to 209 acres, including all river frontage from West Reserve to beyond Grandview Drive.

Karas stressed that trustees would have to approve the terms she negotiates.

Karas said the next step involves getting appraisals of the land. Because of its commercial potential, the college parcel bordering U.S. 93 commands a much higher per-acre price than Harris' residential acreage.

She assured trustees that attorneys and appraisers would advise the college and that any environmental concerns would be addressed. She said Harris has agreed to build a road to provide access to the property.

Trustees voiced support for the concept.

"On face value, it seems like a great idea," Mark Holston said.

Tom Harding called it a fantastic opportunity. Alison Young said she saw potential to protect trees along a northeast ridge of the land rather than have houses replace the green strip.

Karas said the swap would put control of the land in the hands of the college to incorporate in its master plan for campus development.

"As the community continues to grow, there will be land for us to continue to grow and develop more opportunity," Karas said.

Karas and board chairman Bob Nystuen explained the interplay of the land deal and the Kalispell Fire Department's recent decision not to build its new fire station on college land.

The fire department's top choice was a location on the acreage under negotiation in the Harris land trade. Karas said another problem was the fire department's need to have the training center, which often emits smoke, next to the station on a prominent location on U.S. 93.

She said that the department's decision to forgo a campus location will not preclude a partnership for fire training programs with the community college.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.