Auction of CETC awaits price tag

Whitman County commissioners Monday put off an official decision on the fate of the county-owned CETC building on Main Street Colfax until they can establish a minimum bid amount for the building.

The CETC, damaged by a snow load in the winter of 2009, needs about $125,000 worth of work to get up to code, according to Bob Reynolds, county facilities manager.

“The design of the building really doesn’t come up to today’s standards and codes,” said Reynolds.

Commissioners Monday morning received no input from the public during a hearing on the proposed sale of the CETC, the former Colfax Elks Club.

Commissioners intend to put the building up for sale after determining a floor price and method of auction.

Reynolds said the building has been appraised at around $150,000 to $200,000. Reynolds noted the county has already had engineers draw up plans for repair.

Whitman County took ownership of the CETC from the Port of Whitman County as a business development center, noted Commissioner Greg Partch. Partch said the county spent $65,000 upgrading the building’s technology, windows and flooring.

The building costs the county about $5,000 a year in maintenance, insurance and utility costs.

Last year, the county tried to pawn the CETC off on the City of Colfax, but the city council refused the offer.

Reynolds noted the 2009 snowstorm stressed the building’s roof support structure. The building has been open only between March and October.

The county’s insurer, Travelers, paid $15,000, and would pay another $4,000 if the county repairs the building. Travelers contended most of the problems with the CETC stem from improper foundation preparation when the CETC was constructed in 1972 after the Elks building was destroyed by fire.

Use of the CETC as a community center at one time was part of a downtown renewal proposal which involved the city, port and a private developer.

That proposal called for the city to acquire the CETC and use it for office space and a community center. Other parts of that plan called for demolition of the then vacant Hickman building for use as a parking space across the street and conversion of the upper floors of the Masonic Building into apartments.