Two decades of foresight and fiscal planning culminated Friday as Rathdrum city leaders officially broke ground on a new, multimillion-dollar City Hall designed to serve the community for generations to come.

The ceremonial shovels hit the dirt on a sprawling 30-acre site on Lancaster Road, marking the start of construction for a modern civic campus that will centralize city services and provide much-needed space for a growing population. The location, directly across from the North Idaho College Parker Center and KTEC, positions the new facility as a cornerstone of the community’s civic and educational corridor.

The estimated $13-15 million project is being paid for entirely through municipal savings, requiring no new bonds or tax increases for residents.

“This project was first envisioned by the mayor and city council back in the early 2000s,” said City Administrator Leon Duce. “They started to save then for this project. That forward-thinking means we can build this without placing a financial burden on our taxpayers today.”

The new facility is a direct response to the severe space constraints of the current City Hall on West Main Street, where staff have resorted to holding meetings in hallways and residents often line up outside for crowded council meetings. Duce recalled his first day on the job, noting garbage cans were strategically placed to catch water from leaks in the ceiling.

Beyond solving immediate problems, the new design is built for the future. The complex will house a significantly larger council chamber with four times the current capacity, along with modernized spaces for the Rathdrum Police Department and Parks and Recreation offices.

The design itself pays homage to Rathdrum’s natural beauty, with its roofline intentionally reflecting the ridge line of the nearby Rathdrum Mountain.

“The new city hall design takes into account the next 20 years of growth with room for expansion if needed,” Duce added.

But the project is more than just an administrative building; it’s designed to be a true community destination. Plans include an 8-acre public park on the northeast portion of the land, providing green space for residents. Furthermore, the parcel is zoned for future commercial development along Lancaster Road, promising future growth and convenience.

The city anticipates a move-in date of summer 2027, barring any unforeseen construction delays. The existing city buildings on Main Street will likely be sold or repurposed, closing one chapter of Rathdrum’s history and opening another.