Construction activity in Idaho Falls off to healthy start for 2013

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Looking at the first three months of building permits issued in the city of Idaho Falls, things are off to a healthy start, with more than $17 million in projects on the rails.

In fact, the number is bigger than the first quarter of 2012, which was slightly more than $2 million in valuation. But when you look at the year-to-date construction number from April last year, $34 million and change, you know the city has a long way to go before it tops 2012.

By the end of the year, the building department recorded $83.5 million in permits, a number bigger than even the pre-crash year of 2007, when $51.4 million in new permits were issued. Of the 2012 total, $58.2 million -- nearly 70 percent -- was commercial construction.

The bump in March 2013 came from one of two new elementary schools in Idaho Falls School District 91. As was the case with Dora Erickson and Ethel Boyes last year, new schools are being started this year to replace Longfellow and Edgemont Elementary.

Beyond that, we'll be keeping tabs on anything new going in, be it Carl's Jr., Panda Express, Scientech, Teton Volkswagen or anything you might dare to hope for.

Firehouse Subs plans 12 restaurants in southern Idaho

Firehouse Subs, a chain based in Jacksonville, Fla., plans to open 12 restaurants throughout southern Idaho, including at least one in Idaho Falls this year.

The first one is tentatively scheduled to open in Boise in mid-June, said Emily Oliver of the Zimmerman Agency, which handles public relations for the chain. "Idaho Falls is not in the book for June or July, but I know it will be sometime in the following months," she said.

The expansion into Idaho is being spearheaded by Randy Judd of West Valley City, Utah, who has more than 25 years in restaurants and franchising. Judd became the area representative for Utah three years ago. So far, he has opened four restaurants, with another three in development. The Idaho buildout is scheduled to take place over seven years.

Judd’s responsibilities include selling franchises and providing franchisees the overall marketing and operational support in their respective markets. “The brand provides its franchisees with an incredible level of support and we believe the Idaho community will embrace our restaurants as those in Utah have,” he said.

The chain was founded by former firefighters and brothers Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, and has a special dedication to serving first responders. In 2005, the Sorensens created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to fire departments around the United States. Through the non-profit 501(c)(3), Firehouse Subs has distributed $5.7 million in 36 states and Puerto Rico.

Smith Group beats deadline for getting canal contained and covered

The Porter Canal has been covered in preparation for development of Smith Group's Honda and Chevrolet dealerships on Sunnyside Road near I-15 Exit 116.

A month ago we spoke to Smith Group owner Stafford Smith about his plans to relocate their Honda and Chevrolet dealerships from North Holmes Avenue to Sunnyside Road. Everything was going to depend on whether they could get the Porter Canal into a culvert and covered so they could grade the ground and pave it, he said.

Dropping by today, the canal bed is still dry while the concrete walls have been set up and the top is being sealed off. So it looks like Smith should be able to proceed with the work.

KLCE holding "Second Chance Prom"

Me in my Greg Brady days, with Anne, the girl down the street.

This seems like a great idea. KLCE Classy 97 will be holding a free "Sec­ond Chance Prom" for the public April 27. It will be from 8 to midnight at Hillcrest High School.

If all works out as planned, it will be "a mag­i­cal evening of danc­ing and fun, to music old and new." Dress in for­mal or semi-formal attire and escort the real love of your life.

There will be give­aways, free pho­tos, free cook­ies and punch, and your favorite radio personalities. I will be busy that night, otherwise I would be checking it out, because it sounds like it could be as fun as Wayne Weiner's Bar Mitzvah, the 1969 shindig I judge all parties against.

Wada Farms opens North Carolina sales office to handle growing sweet potato business

Based in Idaho Falls, Wada Farms is the exclusive marketer of Dole fresh potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes and recently expanded its line with convenience items

Sweet potatoes have turned into a sweet deal for the Idaho Falls-based Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC, which just opened a new sales office in Raleigh, N.C., to handle sweet potato volumes that have tripled in the past six years.

Here is a link to the story that appeared in today's issue of The Packer: http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/fresh-produce-handling-distributing/Wada-opens-NC-office-for-sweet-potato-program-203099651.html

Registration for Fourth of July parade and festival starts Friday

Fireworks last year at the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration in Idaho Falls.

Given the weather, it's hard to believe that summer is not far away, but registration for the 4th of July Parade and Liberty Festival on the Falls will open this Friday. The deadline for entries in June 1.

Independence Day occurs on a Thursday this year, which makes for the best of all possible worlds: stick around town for fun and you still have the whole weekend for camping, golf, fishing, mountain biking or just hanging out.

The Military Affairs Committee will start the day with the Firecracker 5K fun run, 7:15 a.m. at Tautphaus Park. Click http://www.idahofallsmac.org/ for information and registration.

The Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce will again organize Idaho's largest parade, through the city’s residential neighborhoods and ending at Tautphaus Park. Riverbend Communications, Idaho Falls Magazine and the Exchange Club will distribute Independence Day schedules and flags beginning at 8:15 a.m. The classic cars and Idaho Falls Police Department will once again start the parade at 9 a.m.

The Liberty Festival on the Falls bridges the gap between the parade in the morning and the fireworks display in the evening. Sponsored by Snake River Landing, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, and Apple Athletic Club, this year the celebration will be enhanced by the improvements done last fall on Memorial Drive between Broadway and E Street. More than 25 food vendors and 50 businesses will be there, and there fair-style games and activities like pie and watermelon eating contests for children and adults. There will be a full schedule of live music by local bands.

Once the sun goes down, the banks of the river will be jammed with thousands of people come to watch the 25-year-old Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, reputed to be one of the largest July 4 fireworks displays west of the Mississippi River.

For registration information, call the chamber office at 523-1010 or visit the Web site, http://www.idahofallschamber.com.

Idaho Falls Magazine to hold 'Drive and Drop' April 18

Idaho Falls Magazine is heading up a "Drive and Drop" community donation drive Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Staff will collect donations of canned goods and cleaning supplies on the B Street sidewalk between Park and Shoup, in front of Harris Publishing. There will be no need to get out of your vehicle, and every donor will receive a certificate for one free frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf.

Canned goods needed include tuna, chili, pork and beans, fruits, vegetables and cream soups. Cleaning supplies include laundry detergent, bleach, dish soap, bathroom cleaner, toilet paper and paper towels.

Donations will benefit these agencies:

City of Refuge Men's Shelter, 840 Park Ave.

The Haven 2480 S. Yellowstone Highway

Idaho Falls Community Food Bank 245 N. Placer Ave.

The Soup Kitchen, 301 South Boulevard