UAMPS decision on SMRs at INL expected by early 2017

NuScale Power's Proposed Plant Site Layout

Public Power Daily is reporting that Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, of which the city of Idaho Falls is a member, expects to make a decision in early 2017 on whether it wants to start the application process with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a combined construction and operating license for Small Modular Reactor development by NuScale Power on the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory site.

Here's a link to the story: UAMPS identifies preferred site in Idaho for small modular reactor project.

A few things that jumped out at me. The project “is scalable, depending on how many UAMPS members are involved,” said LaVarr Webb, a spokesman for UAMPS, in a Sept. 7 interview with the American Public Power Association. Each reactor would be rated at 50 megawatts and, if the maximum of 12 were put on the site the project would have a capacity of 600 MW, Webb said.

The Utah public power agency has not decided how many SMR units it would want to have in order to go ahead with the project, but UAMPS “would want to get closer to 12” rather than go with just one or two reactors, Webb said.

Idaho Falls Power has been looking for a source of affordable baseload power for at least 10 years. I remember the trip I took in 2006 with Mayor Jared Fuhirman, utility director Jackie Flowers (new on the job at the time) and the City Council to Delta, Utah, when UAMPS was looking to buy into a third coal-fired plant planned for the Intermountain Power Project site. Here's an Associated Press story from the Salt Lake Tribune that ran then: Idaho Falls may buy coal-fired power from Utah.

IPP3, slated to be built by 2012, never got off the drawing board, but Idaho Falls' need for dependable, affordable power at critical times of the year, especially summer, has not gone away. Reliance on run-of-river hydropower from the dams the city built in the 20th century gives it bragging rights for renewables in its portfolio, but the longstanding relationship it has had with Bonneville Power Administration is changing. To me, building a new generation of nuclear power plants on the Idaho desert represents a return to our roots of sorts. This is where nuclear energy was pioneered in the 1950s. I know there is massive enthusiasm for it in Idaho Falls, and that it would create many, many new jobs.

I'm curious to hear what our fellow Idahoans in Twin Falls, Ketchum and Boise are going to have to say about it, which is why I will be curious to see whether these SMRs can be built and online by 2024. Not to pour cold water on anyone, but have you ever seen what happens when lawyers start talking to each other? Wasn't it Eddy Arnold who had a big hit with the title Make the World Go Away?

Community Pathways group funds bike repair on River Walk

Two young cyclists at the bike repair station at B Street and Memorial Drive.

Biking in Idaho Falls just became easier thanks to a generous donation by members of the Idaho Falls Community Pathways (IFCP).

The Dero Fix-it bike repair station recently installed on the River Walk by Memorial Drive and B Street is the first of its kind in Idaho Falls. The station includes a bike stand with tools that are connected by cables. The station also includes pumps that accommodate different valve types. There’s even a QR code on the tower that cyclists can scan with their smartphones to get instructions on such things as fixing a flat tire, adjusting gears and removing a wheel.

Idaho Falls Community Pathways is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting people-powered transportation in Idaho Falls. The organization raised the $1,600 needed for the repair station through donations and fund-raising events such as Earth Day and the Foothills to Freedom Run.

“There are similar devices around the Boise and Jackson pathways,” said IFCP Secretary, Mitch Plummer. “We’d like to see other stations along the River Walk in Idaho Falls and would encourage other organizations to help sponsor them.”

Since 2007, IFCP has also installed flags at more than 60 pedestrian crosswalks throughout Idaho Falls and surrounding areas. Maintenance of the flags is provided by donations, grant money from Walmart and the Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Over the last several years, the organization has also worked with the City of Idaho Falls Public Works Department to leverage approximately $90,000 in Safe Routes to School grants to build bike and pedestrian pathways at Eagle Rock and Taylorview Junior High Schools.

“We are very fortunate to have such an engaged and active organization committed to working with the city to provide safe non-motorized pathways in and around Idaho Falls,” said Idaho Falls Parks & Recreation Director, Greg A. Weitzel.

The Parks and Recreation Department is also working on installing six new bike racks to be located next to the restrooms around the River Walk.

“We are grateful for this generous donation. As Idaho Falls becomes a more bike-friendly city, I hope we will see more repair stations and bike racks spring up to support maximum enjoyment for our community,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper.

Kneaders reports plan to open in Ammon Sept. 30

The latest on Kneaders is that they are planning to open their restaurant in Ammon on Sept. 30. I was told this Thursday when I called their office in Utah. The date is subject to change, but that’s the scoop.

If you’re interested in applying for a job, here is the link: https://kneaders.applicantpro.com/jobs/

The Utah-based bakery and cafe chain is popular with many eastern Idahoans. “It’s been one of the most common requests in the last two or three years,” said Eric Isom, chief development officer of Ball Ventures, a partner in the Sand Creek Commons shopping center.

The building permit filed March 30 shows plans for building of 4,214 square feet, with a kitchen and serving area of 2,226 square feet and a seating area of 1,618 square feet. Occupancy for the entire restaurant is 143. The original estimated completion date entered was July 31, but that obviously didn’t happen. Don’t ask me why, and good luck asking them.

Kneaders dates back to 1997, when it was founded by Gary and Colleen Worthington. It specializes in European hearth breads made from scratch on site daily, as well as gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries and breakfast items. It also provides catering services for groups of all sizes, from birthday parties to weddings, and offers a variety of retail products including award-winning gift baskets and holiday-themed gifts.

So far, the company has locations in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Idaho, where it opened its first store in Meridian. Like many chains, there is a mix of franchise operations and company-owned stores. The Ammon restaurant will be company owned.

Development team selected for Bonneville Hotel restoration

The development team's artistic rendering of a restored Hotel Bonneville.

The Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency has selected The Housing Company, Myers Anderson Architects and Bateman-Hall General Contractors for the renovation of the historic Bonneville Hotel, at Park Avenue and Constitution Way.

In February, the agency issued a Request for Proposal to developers for renovation plans for the structure. Three proposals were received. After eliciting input on the proposals, a public meeting was held Aug. 18, where applicants were invited to make presentations regarding their approaches.

The proposals and public comment were reviewed, and the agency selected the development team during a meeting Aug. 25.

“This was a very difficult decision, as we had to decide between excellent proposals,” said Lee Redford, the Redevelopment Agency’s chairman. “The proposals were submitted by experienced and creative groups. After extensive consideration, we chose to proceed with the proposal presented by The Housing Company. We appreciate the contributions of these developers and their commitment to improving downtown Idaho Falls, and we look forward to the successful completion of this important project.”

The project will be a mixed-use development with commercial, retail, restaurant and residential spaces. The residential spaces will include studio, and one- and two-bedroom units. The estimated project cost is $10 million. Approximately $440,000 will be funded by the agency while the majority of the funding will be provided by housing and historic preservation tax credits.

A copy of the development team's plan can be found here: Bonneville Hotel Proposal.

The agency has held all along that the facades and features of the building, which was completed in 1927, be renewed or restored. Much of the historic interior detail has been removed throughout the years, and the development team plans to remove most of what is inside. “Our proposed scope of work would include a full demolition of the interior space improvements,” said the document that was presented to the Redevelopment Agency. This includes the removal of all existing plumbing and delivery lines and soil lines, down to the basement and from the basement to the street’s main discharge line. All electrical wiring and fixtures will be removed and discarded except for any fixtures with historical value, which will be sent out for repair and rewiring.

The team said that in conversations with people interested in leasing or buying commercial and retail space two issues came up. One was space for food storage, for a small grocery store or restaurant. The other was all the old mattresses, engine blocks and building elements discarded in the first floor space where the restaurant used to be, and the holes in the walls were pipes were patched, electrical lines recently routed. The dishevelment “only intensifies the difficulty potential owners have in seeing what could be.”

THC was responsible for the restoration of the Whitman Hotel in Pocatello. The company also manages more than 1,500 units, currently assessed at over $48 million.

The proposed plan also includes a roof deck at the second level that will be accessible to both commercial and residential occupants. The deck will include landscaping and exterior amenities for dining, events and relaxation.

"The Housing Company, Myers Anderson Architects and Bateman-Hall Contractors are proud to have been selected by the Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency for the renovation of the iconic Bonneville Hotel,” said Douglas Peterson, director of The Housing Company. “We look forward to working with the Agency in finalizing a plan that will benefit the community for many years to come,"

The development team will meet individually with the current tenants in good standing to find reasonable and comparable housing in the area. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2017.

Tammie Whyte joins Thornton Oliver Keller in Idaho Falls

Tammie Whyte

Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate has added Tammie Whyte to its eastern Idaho brokerage services team. Whyte specializes in leasing and selling office, industrial, and commercial real estate.

She brings with her years of real estate, legal and business experience in a career that includes practicing in all areas of real estate law and real estate contractual matters. In 2009, she established TDW Law Contract Services, Inc., where she worked closely with client principals and employees helping in the liquidation of a $1.2 billion portfolio of loan assets. She was also responsible for the oversight of legal services for assets in 17 states as well as assisting in the development of the business processes of the companies and assisting in the successful completion of FDIC audits of the portfolio. Before that, she spent six years managing an independently owned title insurance company in Southeast Idaho.

Whyte completed her undergraduate work at Fort Lewis College, in Durango, Colo., and earned her Juris Doctorate degree at Creighton University Law School. She has served as the chair of the Citizens Law Academy, president of the Idaho 7th Judicial District Bar Association, and as a board member for a number of Southeastern Idaho charitable organizations.