URA discusses Jackson House appraisal, surplus auction and potential public‑private partnership
October 21, 2025 | Eagle, Ada County, Idaho
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Board members on Oct. 21 updated the URA on next steps for the historic Jackson House property, including an appraisal, a planned auction of surplus personal property, perimeter fencing and possible solicitation for public‑private partnership interest.
At a recent Jackson House meeting the group narrowed reuse options and decided to first auction surplus items remaining in the house; the auction will be listed on Music Auctions’ website, a board member said. The agency directed staff to obtain an appraisal of the historic home and its east parcel to establish current market value and to inform whether leasing, sale or a public‑private partnership is appropriate.
The museum director, Elena Dunn, told the meeting her primary concern is preserving the home’s deed‑restricted historic value and protecting the view shed; she said ownership could remain public or private so long as those conditions are preserved. A board member said public‑works staff listed fencing the property perimeter as a safety priority and estimated fencing at about $60,000, though formal bids have not been solicited.
Board members cited internal estimates that the property would require about $700,000 in repairs to reach habitable condition for tenancy and that the building has extensive deferred maintenance, including asbestos in a sewer line and the need to replace a lift station. The board said those cost estimates came from the public‑works director and that a formal walk‑through and independent repair estimates will follow the appraisal.
A board member reported council member discussions with unnamed potential partners who might be interested in a public‑private partnership; the board said it expects to issue an RFP if feasibility and appraisal results support that approach.
What was decided: The URA approved a motion to proceed with an appraisal of the Jackson House east parcel and to move ahead with the surplus personal property auction. The board did not approve selling the city‑owned house itself at the meeting and emphasized the appraisal is for information only.
What remains unresolved: The appraisal timeline is uncertain; board members said similar appraisals elsewhere took about six months. The extent of fencing, exact scope of repairs and any formal partnership structure will depend on the appraisal, formal condition assessment and bids for repairs.
At a recent Jackson House meeting the group narrowed reuse options and decided to first auction surplus items remaining in the house; the auction will be listed on Music Auctions’ website, a board member said. The agency directed staff to obtain an appraisal of the historic home and its east parcel to establish current market value and to inform whether leasing, sale or a public‑private partnership is appropriate.
The museum director, Elena Dunn, told the meeting her primary concern is preserving the home’s deed‑restricted historic value and protecting the view shed; she said ownership could remain public or private so long as those conditions are preserved. A board member said public‑works staff listed fencing the property perimeter as a safety priority and estimated fencing at about $60,000, though formal bids have not been solicited.
Board members cited internal estimates that the property would require about $700,000 in repairs to reach habitable condition for tenancy and that the building has extensive deferred maintenance, including asbestos in a sewer line and the need to replace a lift station. The board said those cost estimates came from the public‑works director and that a formal walk‑through and independent repair estimates will follow the appraisal.
A board member reported council member discussions with unnamed potential partners who might be interested in a public‑private partnership; the board said it expects to issue an RFP if feasibility and appraisal results support that approach.
What was decided: The URA approved a motion to proceed with an appraisal of the Jackson House east parcel and to move ahead with the surplus personal property auction. The board did not approve selling the city‑owned house itself at the meeting and emphasized the appraisal is for information only.
What remains unresolved: The appraisal timeline is uncertain; board members said similar appraisals elsewhere took about six months. The extent of fencing, exact scope of repairs and any formal partnership structure will depend on the appraisal, formal condition assessment and bids for repairs.
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