NIC: $2.8M remodel awaiting gov's OK
This artist rendering shows a design for a 6,000 square foot remodel in the Hedlund building at North Idaho College. The project awaits governor approval before work can begin, no sooner than after the start of this fiscal year in July. Image courtesy of North Idaho College
This photo shows an area of the Hedlund building on the North Idaho College campus that would be included in the 6,000 square foot remodel awaiting approval from the governor. The space is currently used as an indoor softball batting practice area for NIC's softball team. HANNAH NEFF/Press
This artist rendering shows a design for the $2.8M remodel of the Hedlund building from the west side of North Idaho College. The project awaits governor approval before work can begin, no sooner than after the start of this fiscal year in July. Image courtesy of North Idaho College
This photo shows the Hedlund building from the west side of North Idaho College. A $2.8M remodel awaiting governor approval would include adding a main entry point and outdoor seating from this side of campus. HANNAH NEFF/Press
This artist rendering shows a design for a 6,000 square foot remodel in the Hedlund building at North Idaho College. The project awaits governor approval before work can begin, no sooner than after the start of this fiscal year in July. Image courtesy of North Idaho College
COEUR d'ALENE — A $2.8 million remodel on a section of the Hedlund Building at North Idaho College could start in July.
“It’s sort of the last underutilized space we have,” said Ryan Arnold, director of Regional Entrepreneurial Strategy. “As we’ve shifted the building use, we need the spaces to sort of be redesigned to work with that use.”
Laura Rumpler, Chief Communications and Government Relations Officer for the college, said the project was recommended in the governor’s budget. It would be funded out of the permanent building fund.
It awaits Gov. Brad Little's approval before work can begin.
The Hedlund Building currently houses GIZMO-CDA, the Small Business Development Center, NIC and U of I computer science programs, the culinary arts program and restaurant, the computer and cybersecurity programs, NIC Venture Center, Avista Center for Entrepreneurship, the office of entrepreneurship and Job Corps.
Rumpler said the programs were intentionally put together to create a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
The area planned for remodel is used by the NIC softball team for batting practice. Part of the remodel would also include some space used by GIZMO-CDA.
Arnold said the goal for the remodel was centered around community connections, to have a space where the college could interact better with businesses and host events.
“It’s really just giving us better space so we can work with businesses, work with each other,” Arnold said. “Right now we have one conference room in the building and there’s a lot of different programs in here that use that.”
Remodel plans include a social stairway leading to the second floor, breakout rooms, an additional classroom and an eating area.
The remodel will also give the NIC campus a more welcoming west side. Arnold said there’s not really a main entry point to the Hedlund Building, so one part of the remodel would be to create a west side entrance and outdoor seating areas.
