Several City of Pocatello departments to move into former Western States Cat building

The Former Western States Cat building, off of Garrett Way in Pocatello, was recently sold to the city.

Now several city departments will be consolidating into one city-owned space.

The Street and Sanitation departments, which are currently occupying a combination of leased and owned land, will move into the Garrett Way building sometime around January.

A new department, Central Fleet Maintenance, will also be created as a result of the move. It was the idea for this department that actually got the ball rolling on the project since they city knew they’d need a large space to house it.

The new department is still in its initial phases. City of Pocatello Deputy Public Works Director Tom Kirkman said the plan is to have the department fully implemented by October of 2019.

The city actually purchased the building earlier this year, although many had no idea.

Kirkman said the city doesn’t usually make an announcement when a new asset is purchased, but it was on several study session and even brought up at a City Council meeting.

“It was all public,” Kirkman said. “A lot of times, city government isn’t the most riveting to watch.”

Construction is currently underway at the site.