Ketchum Mayor, Council Consider New City Hall Option

KETCHUM, IDAHO – City Council took its first step in finding a new home for City administrative offices and police department.

Last night, Council approved spending $25,000 to secure an option-to-buy an existing building in the City’s downtown. The building—with three stories and more than 11,000 square feet—would meet the City’s needs, now and into the future, Mayor Neil Bradshaw said.

Purchasing the option immediately is important because it secures the right to purchase the building and allows time for the City to get community input.

“Given that the City has been trying to solve this facilities puzzle for a long time, I’m very encouraged by the emergence of this new opportunity,” Bradshaw said. “During the option period, not only will we seek community feedback, but we will also undergo detailed due diligence on the building as well as compare it to other options.”

The property being considered is located at 191 W. 5th Street, on the corner of Fifth Street and Second Avenue. Known as the “Fifth Street Building,” it was built in 1996 and is compliant with the federal Americans with Disability Act, one of Bradshaw’s key initiatives in bringing the City of Ketchum into compliance.

The selling price is $3.1 million, which Bradshaw noted is much less than the cost of purchasing real estate and then undergoing new construction.

“We believe this can be done without burdening taxpayers and without going out for a bond or incurring debt,” Bradshaw said. “There is plenty of study and consideration ahead—we’re just at the start of a thorough and thoughtful review process.”

Because public engagement is critical, Bradshaw said City staff will hold an open house on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall to present more details of the proposal to residents and gather feedback.