BF company eyes downtown project

BONNERS FERRY — A local company would like to build a $3 million to $5 million development with retail space and a restaurant on Bonners Ferry’s Main Street.

Kootenai Valley Preseveration League wants to see if there’s public interest before beginning construction on its vacant 8 acres.

The development will be located at the former Lantern Motel and Bonners Ferry Resort RV Park, which was demolished in the spring of 2007. Plans for the initial phase include the $1.6 million construction of an 8,000-square-foot retail space, a garden including a waterfall, pond and park, and an outdoor patio.

“This is our first step in a greater thing,” said Bonners Ferry resident Tony Villelli, who’s in partnership with Rick Philbrook, owner of the Conoco gas station across the street from the proposed development, and Dr. Jerry Lewis, a Sandpoint veterinarian.

“It is something that can get us started,” Villelli said. “It gets us excited about the overall development.”

Six storefronts are planned for the timberframe and rock building.

The group owns one of three liquor licenses in the city. They bought it from the former Lantern Bar and would like to see a restaurant or bar located in the development so the license could be put to use again.  

The group also is planning 40,000 to 50,000-square-foot store. According to Villelli, Safeway has considered building on the land.

The start of construction will depend on businesses interested in becoming tenants.

“If we can get enough interest in this we could forward quicker,” Villelli said.

The Kootenai Valley Preservation League has not filed the plans with the city and will need approval from City Council.