Detailed proposal expected on ld school

The Libby School Board is anticipating a detailed proposal on the renovation of the old high school building downtown from a Spokane developer tentatively scheduled to make a formal presentation at the board's next regular meeting on Jan. 17.

At the board's regular December meeting on Tuesday, district superintendent Kirby Maki said he hasn't received anything yet from ConoverBond Development but expects something before the January meeting. Maki expressed optimism that something positive might grow out of a Dec. 9 meeting between the school board, a representative of ConoverBond and others interested in the future of the old school.

Board member John Herrmann said he would like a senior representative of the development firm — someone who can make a financial commitment — to meet with the board.

"I'd like to see the person who has the authority to say 'Here's the money,'" Herrmann said.

City Councilman and former school board member Gary Huntsberger, who has lobbied for the building's demolition, told the board he thought the Dec. 9 meeting was productive.

"For once we had a definite plan presented," he said.

Huntsberger added that letters from the city council and county commissioners supporting renovation are conditional on something happening within a reasonable timeframe.

"Let's see what they can do in a timely manner," he said.

At the Dec. 9 meeting, ConoverBond's Ryan Romaneski said his company, which has been restoring historic buildings since 1986, is excited about the role the building could play in a revitalized downtown. He said renovation is "absolutely possible" and outlined several possibilities for the building including residential, commercial and government uses.

Remodeling the building for government offices has been looked at most closely and is expected to cost around $2.6 million, Romaneski said. He presented a funding proposal that could include the sale of historic tax credits, bank financing and federal grants. He said he doesn't think getting financing from a commercial bank would be a problem.

Friends of Historic Libby High School, a local group working to save the building and supporting ConoverBond's proposal, previously offered the district $100,000 for the old school. After 71 percent of voters in last May's school election cast ballots supporting the sale of the building, the school board sought bids and set a price of $350,000. The only offer the district received was a re-submission of the original proposal from Friends.

At the meeting on Dec. 9, board chair Teri Kelly called $350,000 "an asking price," encouraging a counter-offer. The board asked Romaneski to draw up a more detailed proposal for presentation on Jan. 17.