New border patrol facility

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection broke ground officially last week on its new multi-million-dollar U.S. Border Patrol station in Colville. The station is located just off Buena Vista Road near the northwest Colville city limits. The new “state of the art” secure facility meets eco-friendly LEED component certification and will be “strategically located on Highway 395 between Kettle Falls and Colville,” according to David D. Smith, Senior Patrol Agent, Public Information Office, U.S. Border Patrol in Spokane. The $15 million project supports operationally required expansion in staffing, technology and infrastructure, added Smith, who said that during the entire year-long construction process, Border Patrol agents will be deployed full time on horse patrols, boat patrols, ATV’s and snowmobiles and will operate out of the current Colville station in south Colville. The new station will be comprised of three separate structures that will support from 50 to 75 agents and feature expanded installation of cameras, lighting, fencing, enclosed parking and a multi-purpose training facility for horse patrols and K9 detection related activities. The facilities contract has been awarded to JKT/PCL Development of Bellevue. Smith said that any local contractors seeking employment are directed to inquire via email through www.jktdevelopment.com [3]. The current Colville border station was built in 1963 and remodeled ion 2004. The station was originally located at Marcus along the Columbia River. After the Columbia River was flooded after the construction of Grand Coulee Dam, the station was relocated to Kettle Falls and ultimately moved to Colville.