Island Park Realtor Karen Cameron earns national honors

Karen Cameron

C21 High Desert Realtors agent Karen Cameron, crushed it last year and she has the hardware to prove it, after being presented the Century 21 Grand Centurion Producer Award for 2020. This is the most prestigious award presented to Century 21 real estate professionals based on sales production within a calendar year. She earned the national distinction by selling a record number of properties in the Island Park area. She ranks number three in Idaho’s Century 21 offices and No. 31 nationally in 2020 Adjusted Gross Commission. Cameron is also listed seventh in the state for the number of properties sold within Century 21 offices.
 
“Karen is the only recipient in our C21 High Desert Realtors history, and one of only a few in the nation to be honored with the Grand Centurion award”, said company partner Kerry Howell. “Needless to say, we are ecstatic for Karen and also for everyone in the C21 Island Park office who helped handle this incredible amount of work.”
 
Cameron became a licensed realtor in Idaho and started her career at Coldwell Banker Eagle Rock in 1986. After getting a taste of the mountain-property life at Rainbow Realty in 1994, It was in 1996, when she became the designated broker for Henry’s Fork Realtors of Island Park, that the depth of her knowledge and expertise really began to grow, making her the go-to-agent for all matters Island Park. Cameron joined C21 High Desert Realtors in 2005 and has been building to Grand Centurion status since.
 
 “I love Island Park and the people I’ve come to know that have chosen the Island Park area to create their family memories. I really enjoy helping people, so this award is truly icing on the top of the cake for me, and thanks to my C21 High Desert team for the assist!” Cameron said. “It goes to show what a truly desirable area we all live in. Maybe we take it for granted being so close, but everyone wants a part of our gorgeous mountain life.”
 
Based in Idaho Falls, C21 High Desert Realtors was formed in 1996 and currently led by broker Patrick Malone and operating partners Kerry Howell, Randy Waters and Kevin Cutler.

Nick Terry joins TOK Commercial team in Idaho Falls

Nick Terry

TOK Commercial has added Nick Terry to its eastern Idaho brokerage services team.  Terry will specialize in selling commercial real estate investment properties.

A native of Idaho Falls, Terry brings 14 years of experience as a commercial lender at both Wells Fargo and Zions Bank. His skills in financial analysis, evaluation and deal-making strategies will benefit clients that he represents in buying and selling commercial real estate, particularly multi-family properties. His deep community involvement, professional accomplishments, and exceptional customer service will make him a valuable asset to TOK Commercial’s brokerage clients across Idaho.

From tenant and landlord representation to acquisitions, property management, and advisory services, TOK Commercial is Idaho’s largest full service commercial real estate company. The firm’s Brokerage and Property Management teams operate out of Idaho Falls, Boise and Twin Falls and serve clients in several western states, including Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Nevada and Utah.

Event center project applies for building permit from city

An artist's rendering of what the event center might look like

Things are moving with the Mountain America Center, which applied Monday for a building permit from the city of Idaho Falls.

The application, from the Salt Lake firm of CRSA, is for a 123,697-square-foot structure at 1690 Event Center Drive, with a job valuation of $51 million. The owner is Pioneer Front Properties LLC of Idaho Falls.

Here is a breakdown of fees to be paid:

• COMMERCIAL PERMIT: $138,472.73
• FIRE REVIEW: $22,225.63
• PLAN CHECK: $90,007.27
• EROSION CONTROL: $100.00
• WATER SERVICES: $111,132.00
• SEWER CONNECTION: $21,917.00
• TOTAL FEES CHARGED: $383,854.63

"The project is as shovel ready as any project in the country," said Rob Spear, executive director of the Idaho Falls Auditorium District. Speaking at a mid-April Idaho Falls Online Lunch-In, Spears said they are looking at having the project finished in October 2022.

In the past year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the district spent $21 million. This was on the construction pad, parking lot, Event Center Drive (in partnership with Ball Ventures, owners of Snake River Landing and donors of the land for the center), and improvements to Pioneer Road.

A bond underwriter has been hired, he said, and they are negotiating with an investor. Bateman Hall/Hogan is the general contractor, and the operating agreement with Centennial Management has been finalized.

After bids went out earlier this year, a final guaranteed maximum price of $56.5 million was settled on March 31. This is the actual construction cost, Spears said.

With donations they've received rom Admiral Beverage, Teton Auto Group, Cooper Norman and MDU Foundation, the district faces a financing gap of $2.21 million. While Spear said he is confident they can close it, "The faster we can close it the sooner we can convince the investor that we're a good bet on moving forward." Naming rights and endorsements are still available.

To view the video, visit www.facebook.com/IFlunchin/videos/869618347219671

Duck Donuts schedules May 1 grand opening for Ammon store

Duck Donuts has scheduled a May 1 grand opening for its first shop in the Idaho Falls area and second franchise location in Idaho. The store is owned by Bonnie and Wyatt Wetsel and located at 2675 Sunnyside Road in Ammon, in the Hillcrest Plaza next to Hillcrest High School.

The first guest in line will receive a free Duck Donuts gift basket and a free dozen donuts every month for a year. To win monthly donuts there will be a drawing for a second customer, as well as more door prizes and merchandise giveaways.

The Wetsels have lived in the Idaho Falls area for nearly 15 years and own the 5 Star Truck and Auto car dealership. They have five children and recently became grandparents.

The 1,200 square-foot retail store reflects the franchise’s iconic beach theme and family-friendly atmosphere. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., Duck Donuts opened its first locations in 2007 in the beach resort towns of Duck and Kitty Hawk, N.C. It began franchising in 2013, and now has more than 100 locally owned and operated shops across 21 states and one international location in Dubai.

In addition to donuts, the Ammon location serves Duck Donuts’ signature coffee blends — Riptide Roast, Light House Blend, and Sunset Pier Decaf-espresso -- donut breakfast sandwiches, donut sundaes, new menu items including frozen beverages and milkshakes, select retail items and more.

The store will offer indoor seating and, coming soon, outdoor seating as the weather allows. Curbside pickup is available by calling the store.

Duck Donuts and this store’s owners are committed to customer and employee safety as Idaho recovers from COVID-19. Employees will wear face masks. High-touch surfaces will be frequently sanitized and the store will remain in compliance with all state and federal guidelines. Plexiglass shields have been installed. Customers will be asked to maintain a six-foot distance from each other.

Hours are Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon. Opening weekend hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. No seating will be available on opening weekend.

For more information, specials and donut topping updates, visit the Duck Donuts Ammon Facebook page or connect on the web at DuckDonuts.com. For more information about the company, visit www.duckdonuts.com.

 

Bank of Idaho 'Swing for the Green' tournament returning

After a pandemic-induced hiatus in 2020, Bank of Idaho has announced its annual Swing for the Green Charity Golf Tournament is returning this year. The event will take place June 24-25 at the Idaho Falls Country Club.

Bank of Idaho led the way in creating the CEI Education Endowment Fund in 2017. At that time, pledging proceeds from the new golf tournament would be deposited directly into the fund. Each year the endowments have grown, and in 2019 the contribution was just over $25,000. The endowment has a current value of $65,000, and the goal is to get the fund over $100,000 this year.

“As we’ve expanded our branches westward, we’re looking into ways to expand and share our endowment success elsewhere — to help other community colleges across the state," said Bank of Idaho President and CEO Jeff Newgard. "And to keep pushing fund-raising thresholds here in our hometown, we're adding some new highlights that I think will make this year's tournament our best one yet."

Past major tournament sponsors -- Teton Wealth Management, Fisher’s Technology and Townsquare Capital -- have returned to support this year's 25-team tournament. The event will feature LPGA professionals, a derby auction, shopping and customized player kits. A pre-tournament party featuring a four-course dinner, a wine tasting, signature cocktails and live musical entertainment will take place on the Idaho Falls Country Club patio the evening of Thursday, June 24.

To buy tickets or join the tournament, go to: bankofidaho.com/s4g/