County sets public meetings to discuss jail site purchase

Two public meetings are planning to discuss Flathead County’s proposed purchase of the “Cedar Palace” and adjoining acreage owned by Weyerhaeuser Co. in Columbia Falls as a possible site for a new jail. The purchase price is $2.6 million.

The first meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at Columbia Falls Junior High School, 1805 Talbot Road in Columbia Falls.

The second meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Flathead County Courthouse commissioner chambers, 800 S. Main St. in Kalispell.

Public comments will be taken at both meetings.

County Administrator Mike Pence said the meetings are part of the county commissioners’ due-diligence efforts regarding potential purchase of about 24 acres of Weyerhaeuser property in Columbia Falls that includes a 35,000-square-foot office complex and a data center building at 500 12th Ave. W. The acreage is zoned for light industrial development. The county has put down $130,000 in earnest money toward the potential purchase.

Weyerhaeuser listed the office building complex and acreage for sale earlier this year.

The county has been saving money for a new jail for several years and this summer opened a $1.6 million, 40-bed addition to the existing jail as a temporary fix until plans for a new jail can be solidified.

The county converted space on the second floor of the Justice Center that previously housed the County Attorney offices.

The county’s five-year capital improvement plan includes $50 million in funding for a new jail.