The Courier
News
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
April 3, 2019
Vol 43 ~ Num 14
Second Country Crumb Opens in Shoshone Lincoln County Courthouse
In November of last year, Sonja and Steve Short open the Country Crumb just off Highway 20 in Fairfield. Last Tuesday, a second Country Crumb opened in north Shoshone at the Wild West Business Park (410 North Highway 75). While you might call it a coffee shop, the Country Crump
is much more. Sonja Short is a pastry chef and you taste her expertise in all the breakfast goodies they serve - Biscuts & Gravy too. For lunch they serve hot soups, Panini sandwiches, wraps, and more. Of course, they also have cookies, brownies, scones, biscotti, and other desserts. The Country Crumb is open 6 to 4 Monday thru Friday, and 7 to 4 on Saturday and Sunday. Call ahead for your coffee orders at 208544-2400 (in Shoshone) or 208-764-2786 (in Fairfield).
Bridge Replacements On US-20
The Idaho Transportation Department began work on two bridge construction projects along US-20 this week. The projects are located at Willow Creek in Camas County (MP 164) and Rock Creek in Blaine County (MP 173). Work is expected to last through December. During construction, ITD will remove aging culverts and surrounding earthwork at both locations, and construct new crossings over the waterways. The structure spanning Willow Creek will be a 170-foot steel girder bridge while the structure spanning Rock Creek will be a 159-foot concrete girder bridge. As an added result of the forthcoming bridge structures, ITD will also be able to restore the streams to a more natural condition, which in turn should have a positive effect on the surrounding ecosystem. Construction on the crossings will occur simultaneously. Each work zone is anticipated to encompass one mile with approximately seven miles between each site. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in the construction zone with width restrictions anticipated. Temporary traffic lights will be in place throughout the duration of the project and reduced speed limits will also be in effect. ITD and the Idaho State Police advise motorists to slow down and pay attention when driving in work zones, where increased speeding fines and other penalties apply. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov for information on the state highway or interstate system.
Today, April 3rd, a public meeting will be held at the Lincoln County Community Center regarding the Lincoln County Courthouse. The Courthouse Advisory Committee will begin their meeting at 6:00 p.m. and the townhall meeting to hear public comments on various options will begin at 7:00 p.m. Options for the Courthouse include: new building at new location; renovating the existing building and build a new annex building on the existing property; New building at same location. Remodeling an existing building is almost always cheaper than building from scratch. Average cost of new commercial construction is currently around $100 to $200 per square foot. Commercial remodeling costs are $50 to $150 per square foot. What is not included in the above numbers is the cost of purchasing land (if building new) or the cost of addressing major structural defects (if renovating). The cost of land can add 25% or more to the overall cost of building new. On the other hand, renovation projects can run into unforeseen problems and some buildings are in such disrepair they are beyond saving. The Lincoln County Courthouse has some structural issues that need to addressed. However, according to at least two architects, there is nothing that can not be fixed. The big issue is ADA compliance, which will require the installation of an elevator. Along with providing better access for people with disabilities, an elevator would open up areas of the building that are currently under-used such as the attic. What renovation does not address in the need for more space, especially for the sheriff’s department. Obviously, a new building would address that need, but building an annex on the existing property also solves that issue. Building a new building would take the courthouse out of the downtown area and put it either at the north end or the south end of town. While Shoshone is a small town and the move would be a relatively small inconvenience for county residents, there is ample evidence from other communities that moving such a major component of the community out of the downtown area would have negative impacts. It is possible a new courthouse could be constructed at the same location, but this would require the demolition of the... continued on page 4...