Actor Dennis Franzbetter known to some as Detective Andy Sipowicz, of the television drama NYPD Blueis the apparent buyer of 100 acres of property on Coeur dAlene Lakes Kidd Island Bay.


Franz is said to have bought the property from Camp Fire USA Inland Northwest Council, which had operated Camp Neewahlu there, says a Kootenai County official who asked not to be named.


We dont have anything in writing to that effect, the official says, but when asked if the rumor of Franzs purchase of the property was true, he replied, Im pretty sure its not even rumor anymore.


Camp Fire USA decided to sell the property more than a year ago because it hadnt been used in a number of years, due in large part to the fact that Camp Fire owns and operates another similar camp on Lake Coeur dAleneCamp Sweyolaken, the organization said in its announcement of the sale.


Camp Fire declined to identify the buyer, but said that person had committed to divide the 100 acres into no more than four parcels, for residential use. Whats more, the buyer donated about 100 feet of the propertys lake frontage to Camp Fire so that the organization can continue to use it for canoe camping and other activities, it said.


Camp Fire declined to disclose the purchase price of the property.


Lee Taylor, executive director of Camp Fire USA Inland Northwest Council, says money from the sale will go toward supporting camping programs.


The Kootenai County official says the property has numerous cabins, and that Franz and his family intend to make modifications to those cabins rather than tear them down and build new homes.


They want some peace and quiet and they want to be able to refurbish some of (the cabins) and add on a little bit, the official says.


Camp Fire, in its announcement of the transaction, said, We are pleased to have found a buyer for Neewahlu who appreciates its heritage, and will maintain much of it in large open spaces.