Welch Comer Engineers

Bonners Ferry Visitors Center

Bonners Ferry, Idaho

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Bonners Ferry Visitors Center will provide the traveling public with a location where they can stop, rest and learn about the state of Idaho, Bonners Ferry, and the significant wildlife, natural resources, recreational opportunities and cultural resources in the area.  Additionally, the Visitors center provides a public meeting room space for the community.

The Visitors Center was funded by the Federal Highway Administration, ITD, US Fish & Wildlife, Kootenai Wildlife Refuge, and the City of Bonners Ferry. 

Welch Comer led the team that was selected by the City of Bonners Ferry through a Qualification Based Selection Process.  The Welch Comer team included architects, biologists, archeologists, and landscape architects.  Welch Comer led the team through the design and construction process because of our firm’s knowledge of the City, the local area, and the extensive federal and state contracting requirements. 

KEY ELEMENTS

• Resolution of a complex right of way issue involving two state agencies, the Kootenai Tribe, the City of Bonners Ferry and a federal agency.
• Complying with the extensive state and federal funding requirements.
• Integration of the project into the recently revitalized downtown and recently constructed US-95 pedestrian underpass.

Completed site development.

The visitor center building was located to maximize visibility to the traveling public.