Opinions on new plans for Courthouse East mixed

Neighbors' opinions of developers' plan to renovate the old Courthouse East were mixed after a public meeting Monday night.

DEV Properties gave a public presentation on its preliminary plan that includes senior apartments and artists' studios. Written comments submitted to DEV Properties by about 35 of the 50-60 people who attended showed some favor the plan and others oppose it.

Columbia Falls developer Dave Rickert of DEV Properties said the meeting generally went well although some people didn't like the plan.

"There were a few people who were dissenting, like the people who always were," he said, "like they didn't like the look of the building and didn't think it was worth [preserving]."

Rickert and his two partners, both of whom live in Washington state, intend to preserve the old courthouse's exterior and build senior apartments, artists' studios and a coffee shop inside.

Some at the meeting told DEV Properties they simply don't like the building and want to see it torn down. The developers, though, took on the project in part because they want to see the building saved, Rickert said.

Other neighbors want Rickert's group to preserve the building and liked the plan. One person wrote the projects would be "an asset to the community."

The building has been at the center of an ongoing debate between developers and neighbors. Current building owner Matt Gelinas previously proposed building a 24-unit duplex townhouse subdivision on the property. About 50 neighbors opposed the plan, citing concerns about traffic and preserving the east side's historic character.

Some people said they preferred single-family homes, which wasn't feasible, given the cost of demolishing the aged building, Gelinas said. At issue also were the costs for removing or sealing off asbestos in the building.

The developers have since reached a buy-sell agreement in which DEV Properties will buy the building from Gelinas in late March if their plans prove to be feasible.

The group is still in the very early stages of development and so has few concrete details, Rickert acknowledged. Several neighbors said they wanted to hear more information and specifics.

DEV Properties intends to consider the neighbors' concerns. But one point on which it will not budge is keeping the building, Rickert said.

The group recently met with the Tri-City Planning Office staff and intends to begin filing paperwork with the office soon.

The group would need a planned unit development and a zone change to accomplish its plans. The group will have to finalize its plans before either the planned unit development or the zone change would be granted.

Reporter Camden Easterling can be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at ceasterling@dailyinterlake.com