The Power Station That Bet on Newport’s Future

F. Y. Low, consulting engineer for the M. Byllesby Co. of Chicago, is in Newport today, receiving estimates on the laying of the concrete foundation for the new office building and sub-station of the Northern Idaho Montana Power Co., to be built on the property they recently acquired at the corner of Washington Avenue and Pine Street.

Mr. Low has with him the plans for the building, an inspection of which shows that the company expects to erect a fine building, one with a capacity for supplying the future as well as present needs of the town. The building is to be of brick, with a one-story part for office purposes in front. The length of the whole building is to be 82 feet, with a width of 25 feet. The one-story part will be 44 feet deep, with an eight-foot basement underneath. The two-story part in the rear is to be of absolute fireproof construction, not a particle of wood being used in its construction, the floors to be of cement, joists of steel and roof of cement. A good quality of facing brick is to be used on the two exposed sides, with trimmings of cement and terra cotta.

The office room is to be equipped with bank fixtures, display windows for showing the latest electrical contrivances, fireproof vault, and all modern conveniences for the transaction of business. The two-story part will house the transformer equipment for the distribution of the current brought in by the high-tension power line and is being built large enough for trebling the capacity of the plant if necessary to keep pace with the growth of the town. The present installation will be sufficient to furnish 700 horsepower, more than ample for present needs.

As soon as the basement and foundation are completed contracts for the main building will be let. It is expected to have the building ready for the installation of machinery by October 1, that being the date set for the arrival of the machinery. A force of thirty men is at present engaged in the building of the power line from Sandpoint. Two miles of poles have already been set and holes dug for six miles more. Wire for the whole thirty miles has already been distributed, and the power line will be completed by the time the building is ready for the reception of the machinery. The power line will cross the river at Newport on a high span and will come into town on Pine Street on 60-foot poles.

Mr. Low states that Newport will have as modern a building, power line and machinery equipment as has ever been installed anywhere. The people back of the Northern Idaho Montana Power Co. are manifesting great faith in the future of this section, and are building for the future in a manner which should inspire our citizens with like zeal. A 24-hour light and power service such as the company will give this town cannot fail to be of great benefit in securing for us the industries needed for the upbuilding of the town.