COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – The historic Roosevelt Inn in Coeur d’Alene may soon see new development while preserving the landmark. The city’s Design Review Commission approved a proposed development at a public hearing, marking a significant step forward for the project.
The proposal calls for saving the historic building, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the former Roosevelt School. In addition to preserving the inn, the plan includes constructing a 38-unit townhome complex around the building.
Applicants from Blue Fern Management llc met with the design board to discuss floor plans, color schemes, landscaping, and building designs.
The proposed complex would feature six buildings with five to eight units each, providing a total of 74 parking spaces. Meanwhile, the inn would be preserved on a separate future parcel. Car access for five of the buildings is planned through the current alley just north of the inn.
Blue Fern is in the process of purchasing the land and inn, with plans to ultimately sell the inn. John and Tina Hough, the long-time owners of the Roosevelt Inn, expressed their excitement about the development.
“We love that building… We have spent 25 years taking care of, preserving,” John and Tina Hough said.
They added, “We didn’t want to see it go. We have been trying for years to sell the property. And no one was able to get to the finish line that was able to preserve it as we have done.”
Walter Burns, chairman of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission, also spoke at the hearing and shared his satisfaction with the proposal.
“When this all started, the beginning of this year when it first came to public attention… Everyone was very, very concerned that we would lose the Roosevelt,” Burns said. “We have kept our voices going so that people understand, so that Blue Fern could understand, how important this is to us. And I think they have understood and they have responded.”
With the Design Review Commission’s approval, the proposal will now proceed to the City Council for final approval or denial in November.
