RATHDRUM, Idaho – The City of Rathdrum is moving forward with the construction of a new city hall, addressing the town’s growing population and issues with the current building.
The new city hall will be located on a 30 acre lot on the Rathdrum Prairie, where only weeds and trees stand today.
Leon Duce, the city administrator, highlighted the need for more space.
“We’re in desperate need of additional space to do the work for the City of Rathdrum,” he said.
The current building is so cramped that staff meetings are held in hallways, and city council attendees often line up outside.
Duce shared his first impression of the building, stating, “When I came in for my very first day, we had garbage cans sitting underneath drip spots.”
The new city hall will be built across Lancaster Road from the North Idaho College Parker Technical Education Center.
Plans also include a park to the northeast, with city hall to the west, and police storage and an examination building further north.
The design of the new city hall reflects the Rathdrum Mountain ridge line.
“You’ll be able to look at city hall and see the ridge line above it,” Duce said.
The project is estimated to cost between $12 million and $15 million.
However, taxpayers will not face additional financial burdens.
“The City of Rathdrum has been saving for over 20 years,” Duce explained, ensuring funds are available without needing a bond.
Construction is set to begin this fall, with hopes of moving into the new building by summer 2027.
