Work begins on Hitt Road, intersection with Sunnyside

DePatco Inc. is starting work today on Hitt Road and the intersection of Sunnyside and Hitt.

The $2.2 million project involves widening Hitt Road to four lanes, putting a center turn lane half a mile south of the intersection Sunnyside Road, and adding new left-turn and right-turn lanes at each approach to the intersection. There also will be improvements to traffic signals and street lights. Work is expected to be finished in July.

In order to maintain safety, DePatco will reduce traffic to one lane in each direction when necessary and perform construction activities during non-peak traffic hours.

The Idaho Falls Power contractor, Track Utilities, is beginning pole placement work as well. While the majority of the work will occur away from the paved surface, motorists are encouraged to honor construction warning signs and watch for hazards or changes in construction conditions.

The project is being driven by the Sandcreek Commons shopping center, where Cabella's is expected to open this spring. Hobby Lobby, another anchor tenant, and Mountain America Credit Union have received building permits from the Ammon Building Department.

Construction questions can be directed to DePatco at (208) 458-4000 or the city of Idaho Falls Public Works Division at (208) 612-8250

Vino/Blackrock is looking for a few good painters

If you're good with a paint roller, Vino Rosso -- soon to be Black Rock -- may have a job for you.

Bar manager Ryan Selleck plans to start repainting the interior Saturday night, with work to continue Sunday and Monday. The red and yellow are being replaced with sage and gray.

Although he has three or four people lined up, Selleck says he could use a couple more. ("I don't want so many people that we're getting in each other's way," he said.)

He hopes to have everything done and the paint smell gone by the time the bar reopens, Tuesday at 11 a.m.

If you are interested (there will be pizza) call Selleck at 270-3286.

Three snapshots from the new construction front

Broadway Ford is hoping to have its new showroom on West Broadway open the weekend of March 7.

Here are a few things I learned this morning, poking my head into places with no advance notice.

Number one, Broadway Ford is in the homestretch with its new facility on West Broadway. They are hoping to have it open by the weekend of March 7.

The dealership dates back to 1984. Owner Mont Crnkovich and his management team had been talking for several years about a new showroom and service department, with a more efficient layout and up-to-date amenities. The new 46,737-square-foot will include an 8,196 square foot showroom and a parts and service department of 21,429 square feet. The building permit valuation from city of Idaho Falls is $4.8 million.

A new shopping center is going in on Utah Avenue.

Dirt is being moved on a Utah Avenue lot where a new 11,500 shopping center is planned. Morgan Construction is the contractor on the project, located south across the street from Chester's Grand Teton Harley Davidson. No prospective tenants have been announced yet.

The west side Walgreens is not yet open.

Despite the sign in front, the new Walgreen's at the corner of Broadway and Skyline Drive is not yet open. Work started at the site last summer, but midway through the project the company ordered changes in the floor plan that required extensive alterations to what had already been done. By mid-afternoon I had not received any replies to the messages I left at Walgreen's corporate headquarters in Illinois. When I learn something meaningful I will update the story.

GEM Awards to be held at ARTitorium

The Idaho Falls Advertising Federation will be hosting its annual GEM awards at a new location this year, the ARTitorium on Broadway.

The Gem awards are the how the Advertising Federation recognizes 0the region’s best work in advertising. Entries in each year’s competition are auto-forwarded into the Boise Advertising Federation’s Rockies Awards, and from there to the national Addy Awards.

With the judging finished the awards will be handed out Thursday night, but not before time for play. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., giving guests an opportunity not only to mingle but to explore all the interactive fun the ARTitorium has to offer. Hors d’oeuvres are being provided by 3s Company and there will be a no-host bar as well.

At 8 p.m., the party heads upstairs to the MC Theater for the big show and presentation, produced this year by IE Productions and hosted by Brad & Tara, Z103’s morning team. Plan on dressing up for the festivities and looking good, but not too good to take a trip down the slide.


Tickets are $30 for individuals, $55 for couples and $220 for a table of eight. It is not too late, just follow this link: GEM AWARDS TICKETS.

Compass Academy conducting survey of Idaho Falls residents

I've been asked by the economics class at Compass Academy to share a link to a survey they are conducting. Click here if you would like to participate. They are a very earnest group of youngsters and deserve all the help they can get.