[IdaBoi]

More good news.

[alphawolf]

What is that, 12 stories? How have we never heard of this?

I find that to be a curious amount of parking though...6 of 12 floors? Odd, considering its location.
What other options are there for that area? Not much, and the future of that area is only going to get tighter. If or when the dirt lot goes at the corner of 6th and Broad St. then they would more likely than not have to cross Myrtle or Front for parking.

[Mr.Boisean]

What other options are there for that area? Not much, and the future of that area is only going to get tighter. If or when the dirt lot goes at the corner of 6th and Broad St. then they would more likely than not have to cross Myrtle or Front for parking.

Yeah, I gathered as much about the area too... but thats still quite the stall/sq. ft. ratio.

[boisecynic]

What is that, 12 stories? How have we never heard of this?

I find that to be a curious amount of parking though...6 of 12 floors? Odd, considering its location.

Aw man, I wanted to get reply #2000.:haha:

BTW, Fat Tire Festivus today, should be good for picture taking. It's a freak show on bicycles.

[Boisebro]

i like the size, but i'm not real crazy about the design.
:tongue4:

[BoiseAirport]

Kinda reminds me of the Banner Bank building a little. I'm not holding my breath on this one though, we've had bad news time and time again about towers being built.

Anthony

[BoiseAirport]

Post #2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D:D:D:D

Anthony

[IFtowner]

exciting!!

By the way, Boise needs to break it's 200 foot barrier... Please, Aspen magically grow 10 feet.

[logicskier]

exciting!!

By the way, Boise needs to break it's 200 foot barrier... Please, Aspen magically grow 10 feet.

did you mean 300'?

The US Bank Plaza is a highrise skyscraper located in Boise, Idaho and is, at the moment, the tallest building in the state of Idaho. Completed in 1978 and renovated in 2004, it rises 81 meters (267 ft) spanning 20 floors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Bank_Plaza

[IFtowner]

No. I'm not retarded.

Boise needs more 200 footers. I know there are two already. It can't seem to get anything above 200 built.

[logicskier]

No. I'm not retarded.

Boise needs more 200 footers. I know there are two already. It can't seem to get anything above 200 built.
:tup:
yes, you area right, i actually think that if Boise had more 200' buildings it may be easier to get a larger project of the ground.

[Evo5Boise]

200 feet is nice, but I'm thinking a few 300 footers would be lovely.

[IdahoMountainBoy]

I've proceeded from a city in dire need of a 300' tower whilst not receiving it, to a city in dire need of an 800' whilst not receiving it...

Both situations are equally as frustrating...

[Cottonwood]

At least, amongst all of the proposals in Boise, the Aspen is being built. It won't be the tallest in the city, but will make an impact on the skyline at 17 floors. It will be a great sight to see this tower rise and it will bring infill to the sky and add to the towers that surround the Grove. The Aspen is almost revolutionary for the intermountain west because it is going to be a "skinny skyscraper".

[Evo5Boise]

This is interesting. As per KTVB.com

Speedway project gets green light from Elmore County

11:24 AM MDT on Wednesday, August 29, 2007

BOISE -- A speedway capable of hosting NASCAR-sanctioned events will be built in Elmore County.

Last night the county's planning and zoning commission approved the request from Northwest Motorsports to build a motocross track off Simco Road between Mountain Home and Boise.

About a year ago the company sought approval to build the $200 million complex called War Eagle Speedway.

During public hearings throughout the past year, some people voiced concerns about noise, lighting and an increase in traffic.

Those in favor of the speedway say it will boost the economy, bring more jobs to the area and give families a good place to enjoy time together.

[BoiseAirport]

This is interesting. As per KTVB.com

Speedway project gets green light from Elmore County

11:24 AM MDT on Wednesday, August 29, 2007

BOISE -- A speedway capable of hosting NASCAR-sanctioned events will be built in Elmore County.

Last night the county's planning and zoning commission approved the request from Northwest Motorsports to build a motocross track off Simco Road between Mountain Home and Boise.

About a year ago the company sought approval to build the $200 million complex called War Eagle Speedway.

During public hearings throughout the past year, some people voiced concerns about noise, lighting and an increase in traffic.

Those in favor of the speedway say it will boost the economy, bring more jobs to the area and give families a good place to enjoy time together.

Woah! I thought this project was dead! Awesomesauce, this is excellent news!

Anthony

[Mr.Boisean]

Wonder how big it will be... I seem to recall this being massive, something like seating for 100,000+ or so... either way, seems positive.

[IFBoiseJunky]

I'm by no means a NASCAR fan, but this would/will be very big for Idaho IMO.

[jimthemanincda]

Wonder how big it will be... I seem to recall this being massive, something like seating for 100,000+ or so... either way, seems positive.

From their website http://www.wareaglespeedway.com/index.html:
.25 Mile Quad Oval with fully equipped infield, seating 75,000 - 100,000
Drag Srip, seating 25,000 - 50,000
1/2 Mile Asphalt Oval, seating 25,000 - 40,000
1/4 Mile Dirt Oval, seating 10,000 - 15,000
Motocross Track
Supermoto - Kart Track
BMX Super Track

Don't know if this plan is still accurate as it appears that the website hasn't been updated in the past 18 months.

I'm not a racing fan, but this is surely good for Boise. And I guess our part of the country was lacking a track. The closest facilities are in San Francisco and Las Vegas.

[Mr.Boisean]

From their website http://www.wareaglespeedway.com/index.html:
.25 Mile Quad Oval with fully equipped infield, seating 75,000 - 100,000
Drag Srip, seating 25,000 - 50,000
1/2 Mile Asphalt Oval, seating 25,000 - 40,000
1/4 Mile Dirt Oval, seating 10,000 - 15,000
Motocross Track
Supermoto - Kart Track
BMX Super Track

Don't know if this plan is still accurate as it appears that the website hasn't been updated in the past 18 months.

I'm not a racing fan, but this is surely good for Boise. And I guess our part of the country was lacking a track. The closest facilities are in San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Wow, so anywhere from 135,00 to 205,000. Thats huge.

I dont like NASCAR myself, but the size of this thing will be impressive enough for me to make a visit.

[BoiseAirport]

Wow, so anywhere from 135,00 to 205,000. Thats huge.

I dont like NASCAR myself, but the size of this thing will be impressive enough for me to make a visit.

Agreed! Plus imagine the insane growth of tourist traffic to Boise...meaning more service to the BoiseAirport :notacrook: .

Anthony

[Boisebro]

one of the Wareagle partners was interviewed on Idaho Sports talk a couple months ago. she indicated that they were determined to get this thing built, and that financing was not an issue... permits were. it seems like they're getting the permits, too.

if memory serves, she mentioned that the first number in the capacity estimates were the initial phase of contruction... so the biggest facility will have 75,000 seats, with future expansion to 100,000 and beyond.

the biggest issue is the interstate. four lanes will not be nearly enough to handle the traffic of 75,000 fans plus media, staff, and race teams. maybe with the construction of this facility, they'll add another lane and make it three all the way to and from boise.

doubtful, but one can hope.

[Sawtooth]

I was downtown for a minute during lunch and noticed this drama is still brewing.


http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j214/Idahomajesty/1-4.jpg



I have to admit I have not been following the news about this issue, but I assume it stems from construction of the Banner tower? :shrug:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j214/Idahomajesty/2-4.jpg

[boi2socal]

Don't know if this has been posted but there are some renderings of the Meridian Town Center. If you go to "view 3" the building to the left is most certainly a Crate and Barrel. It is conceptual art so it may mean nothing. But a Crate and Barrel would be exciting for Boise.

http://centeroak.com/meridian.html

[boisecynic]

Sawtooth: Here's some info on the picketers.

http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2007/02/23/Wife-to-union-Shame-on-you

http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2007/05/07/Contractor-Pickets-an-attempt-to-force-me-to-unionize-Union-electrical-contractor-denounces-carpente

They're now over at the Capitol, protesting McAlvain.

[boisecynic]

Speaking of McAlvain, this sign has just appeared over by the new Stewart Ave. gate to ES Park. I got a real kick out of this, can the truck drivers even read this as they drive by? Clearly the map was made by engineers and not cartographers. Any bets on how long before this gets tagged? I'm betting less than a week.

http://i12.tinypic.com/35lz413.jpg

[IdahoMountainBoy]

:previous: Engineers? no. Cartographers? no.

That map was clearly drafted by my 12 year old niece :rolleyes:

[Evo5Boise]

LOL! That is funny!

[Sawtooth]

Here is a short interesting article about our geothermal potential.

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/city/article/funding_would_expand_boises_geothermal_heat/C108/L108/
It is easy being green
Funding Would Expand Boise’s Geothermal Heat


By J. Gelband, 9-03-07


With the Larry Craig story dominating the news, it’s easy to miss some distinctly positive news coming from an Idaho Senate seat: Sen. Mike Crapo recently gained committee approval for federal funding to expand the use of the city’s geothermal heat.

That’s not it; the bill, which designates $250,000 in 2008, includes the potential for the Public Works Department to install geothermal heating at Boise State University.

Employing geothermal heat on the campus, which uses stored heat from either the earth or from water underground, requires the department to transport the heat from the best sources, across the Boise River, but that’s not a task out of the question yet.

“This funding will see that the largest cutting-edge, renewable energy program of its kind in the nation is brought across the Boise River to a cutting-edge research university in a city known for its cutting-edge technology,” Crapo said at an announcement with Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, BSU President Dr. Robert Kustra and Public Works director Chuck Mickelson at the geothermal well heads.

Boise’s a pretty green city with a lot of support for sustainable living, and providing a renewable energy source for more of the resident and for the large public university will make a lot more people proud to be Boiseans.

In fact, the city’s geothermal program is the largest direct-use geothermal system in the United States with 58 customers, most of whom are located downtown, including Boise City Hall.

“We are truly blessed to have a renewable, non-polluting resource like geothermal so readily available in our community,” Bieter said. Senator Crapo and the entire congressional delegation deserve credit for the collaborative efforts in making this funding a reality.”

Funding for the project isn’t yet a done deal; it must still be approved by the full Senate.

[nobody]

That's pretty awesome. Nice to see something intelligent happening downtown.

[Cottonwood]

Too bad we still don't have the Natatorium with a pool full of geothermal hot water. This building was considered one of the grandest buildings in the West when it was still around. MMMMmmm, what we need is a developer with vision to rebuild it.

http://www.boisestate.edu/hemingway/imagingboise/nats.jpeg

[Evo5Boise]

Ya, it is hard to imagine that grand building sitting at the end of Warms Springs Ave. I bet it was a great site!

[logicskier]

This is 100% Guaranteed!

Gary Christensen, developer of the Banner Bank Building, has walk away from the new proposed "green" tower to be located at the old mission site. Apparently he was not comfortable with his business partners (sorry I cannot remember the name of the money partner). I do not know if the project is dead but it has hit a HUGE road-block.

I will not tell my source, but I promise it is true. Sorry!:(

[BrianInBoise]

This is 100% Guaranteed!

Gary Christensen, developer of the Banner Bank Building, has walk away from the new proposed "green" tower to be located at the old mission site. Apparently he was not comfortable with his business partners (sorry I cannot remember the name of the money partner). I do not know if the project is dead but it has hit a HUGE road-block.

I will not tell my source, but I promise it is true. Sorry!:(

My God- what does it take to get some good news in this town?:( First the Broncos lose and now this... I need to see a crane on the Apsen site to make me feel better - ASAP.:yes:

FYI...IBR has an update on the Boise Place Bankruptcy... a glimmer of hope?

http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2007/09/11/Rogers-Peterson-reach-tentative-agreement-on-Boise-Place-bankruptcy

[Sawtooth]

Ironman is coming:tup: Boise is a natural fit and this event is a testament to the local recreation scene. I am sure there will be more news about this tomorrow.


copied from KTVB.COM
BOISE - It's half the length but just as intimidating. On June 1st, 2008 the City of Boise will host an Ironman 70.3.

The 70.3 mile race and it will put Boise on the racing map, with other cities like Monaco and Cancun – which host similar events.


Race Course:
The swim will be held at Lucky Peak Reservoir and athletes will then transition from swim-to-bike, also referred to as T1, at the parking lot at Barclay Bay.

The bike course will leave Barclay Bay, cross Lucky Peak Dam and head north. A challenging climb will greet athletes until approximately mile 20, where they will encounter an out-and-back section along the north side of the Lucky Peak Reservoir.

Toward the last section of the bike, athletes will enjoy a 24 mile downhill ride to Federal Way into downtown Boise. The bike-to-run transition, known as T2, will be located on Front Street and the half-marathon run course will take athletes throughout downtown and on to the Boise Greenbelt. The finish line celebration will take place in the heart of Boise’s Bodo District, on 8th Street.

[Evo5Boise]

You have to be kidding me? What does it take to build something over 200 Ft. around here!?!?!?!?!?!?

[jimthemanincda]

The half-Ironman should be nice for Boise. I know our full-length Ironman has been a boon for Cd'A during the past 5 years. The course in Boise sounds like it should be pretty challenging...

[BoiseAirport]

Damn...Special Olympics 2009, Ironman...lol, bring on the World Olympics!

Imagine...Boise 2026 for the Winter Olympics!

Yeah, I know, pipe dream.
Anthony

[Evo5Boise]

I don't see why Boise could never hold them. Half way between Sun Valley and Tamarack/McCall serves as a good hub. I just don't know if we have enough hotel rooms. And I think that is something they factor in. But honestly, I know nothing of how they choose Olympic sites. Maybe after we break a 200-300 foot building. :lol:

[Cottonwood]

More exciting news about the diversification of the local economy;)
Eagle is promoting itself as Wine Country

http://media.idahostatesman.com/smedia/2007/08/08/21/278-0811_TM_wine_1.embedded.prod_affiliate.36.jpg

Article line
http://www.idahostatesman.com/137/story/130066.html


Right now, there are at least 28 wineries in the state covering a vast area from Buhl to Sandpoint. Six more are in the works, two of them in Eagle.

On the heels of the Snake River Valley's AVA (American Viticultural Area) designation, Eagle is investing in its own future as a wine-producing area. With help from local visionaries, the Eagle Chamber of Commerce recently established a wine district and a landmark event that will showcase Idaho wines and promote industry growth.

It's called, naturally, the Eagle Food and Wine Festival. According to Teri Bath, president of the Eagle Chamber, it's an invitation to artists, musicians, chefs and winemakers from the Treasure Valley to celebrate Idaho culture and viticulture.

====================================

And a new wine subdivision in Eagle:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/westada/story/95061.html

Angie Riff left a promising career in California's wine industry last year to return home to Boise, where she and her husband are raising their two children.
The 31-year-old, who put her biochemistry/microbiology degree to use as an assistant winemaker at Marcassin Winery in California, has joined a growing chorus of local wine lovers working to promote the city of Eagle as wine country.

City officials also are promoting Eagle as wine country.

The City Council adopted a resolution to create a wine district in north Eagle and into the Foothills to "promote and incubate the emerging viticulture industry within the city of Eagle and the Eagle area of impact."

The wine district, which is between Idaho 16 and Idaho 55 and north of Beacon Light, is largely symbolic at this point.

"The goal was to acknowledge the unique wine grape growing characteristics of the Eagle Foothills," said Lloyd Mahaffey, an Eagle developer and wine grape grower who promoted the creation of a wine district.

[Cottonwood]

Bear sightings in Boise

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-sep1707-bear_found.e2108599.html

I could not find the story about the elk that was running through downtown last week. Exciting times!

[BOI-IDA]

:previous:

Kind of sad that all we have to talk about these days are bear and elk sightings. :(

What happened to all the proposed towers? :shrug:

At least we have the Aspen to look forward (or upward) to! :tup:

[BoiseAirport]

:previous:

Kind of sad that all we have to talk about these days are bear and elk sightings. :(

What happened to all the proposed towers? :shrug:

At least we have the Aspen to look forward (or upward) to! :tup:

Seriously!

News is coming slower than Frozen Mollasses in January.

Anthony

[jimthemanincda]

Yeah, you guys have been quiet in Boise.

How's BSU going to do the rest of the season? What does everyone think about the upcoming Boise mayoral race? (Or do these topics need to go in a separate thread?)

[Boizean]

Yeah, you guys have been quiet in Boise.

How's BSU going to do the rest of the season? What does everyone think about the upcoming Boise mayoral race? (Or do these topics need to go in a separate thread?)
I would rather these topics be discussed in another thread. This is supposed to be about Boise projects.

[Cottonwood]

:previous:

Kind of sad that all we have to talk about these days are bear and elk sightings. :(

What happened to all the proposed towers? :shrug:

At least we have the Aspen to look forward (or upward) to! :tup:


Yeah, I posted the article about the bear and elk to see if anybody would bitch or actually respond to it. It does seem kind of slow in this forum, although we still have a lot of proposals and we actually have some under construction in downtown. When you are actually downtown or driving around the city, the growth is amazing and new buildings are being built all over the valley. We have a whole block of storefronts downtown (Idaho between 9th and 8th) being renovated for new retail so that is good news too:) And the IBR has news about a new condo project in West Boise, and we heard a bit of "good news" last week about Boise Place, but should we have faith? The grove of Cottonwoods on Parkcenter Boulevard is gone to make way for a new Italian themed condo villa. Bonefish is coming to BoDo. The Aspen hopefully will have a nice tall, stiff crane erected soon. Isn't the new convention center proposed to start construction late this year or early next year? Also, it seems like a few forumers who were pretty active here are gone--where did you go??
I glanced in other cities threads and they are not really any more busy than we are. Their threads seem more active because they have forumers who post stories about new highway and street intersections in suburban cities and some of them talk about a new home depot being built. I guess we in Boise just like to talk about downtown towers and not suburban developments. The Boise area has a few highend lifestyle centers coming to the burbs, we have real suburban cities with intact downtowns which are growing and we have just as much happening as far as overall growth, but I guess most people in Boise have a life and don't sit in front of the computer 24/7.

[Cottonwood]

Yeah, you guys have been quiet in Boise.

How's BSU going to do the rest of the season? What does everyone think about the upcoming Boise mayoral race? (Or do these topics need to go in a separate thread?)


Bieter for mayor! He has a passion for smart growth and is a huge supporter for downtown development and growth.

[BOI-IDA]

I guess most people in Boise have a life and don't sit in front of the computer 24/7.

That pretty much sums it up for me. I would like to be more active in this forum, but I have to work for a living.:yuck:

[boisecynic]

I'm back homies, with more criticism than ever. Cottonwood guilt tripped me into going out and taking some pics and providing free content for our SSP overlords.

New Fairview/Main corridor casualties.

This newly vacant lot was a strip mall of sorts mostly occupied by auto repair businesses, iirc. The place was demo-ed a month or two ago. BTW, the lot just to the west of this one, corner of 27th and Fairview, where that hospital was/is supposed to go, there's a for sale sign on it now.
http://i17.tinypic.com/4zjp53d.jpg

Not a new casualty, this place has looked crappy for decades.
http://i16.tinypic.com/2nuj80i.jpg

For some reason I like this pic.
http://i16.tinypic.com/4ze2t1h.jpg

The demo of the strip mall place revealed this sign, I don't think I had ever noticed it.
http://i4.tinypic.com/4r0yfqc.jpg

Riding my bike west a couple of blocks on 2 foot wide sidewalks and avoiding the numerous goathead patches, I came to the old Koppel's Browzeville store. How long has this been vacant?
http://i1.tinypic.com/4xmqrmw.jpg

Sad.
http://i5.tinypic.com/52dy8f5.jpg

The latest Fairview/Main casualty:

Boise Auto Parts has moved around the corner in anticipation of losing half their parking lot to the River Park Way, er, I mean the 30th St Extension. Their new place is actually a lot nicer and they did some extensive tenant improvements.
http://i5.tinypic.com/68hikh5.jpg

With an important mayoral election coming up, I'm surprised that not one local politician has used this forum. Well, one former elected official posted here once or twice.:D So here it is, an invitation to to Mayor Bieter and the 3 councilors up for election, Shealy, Eberle and Clegg, to post here. Come on, we're well into the 21st century, the internet has a lot of great features, like this forum for instance.

I know Boise is much bigger than just the west side neighborhood, but how about answering just one simple question. How do you feel about a new urban renewal district for the Fairview/Main corridor?

[Cottonwood]

:previous: That area, West of the Red Lion Hotel to the river could be a "mid town" when more developmets and investing takes place.


Sorry about more bear news, but a bear in downtown today near St. Lukes Hospital is unique news. This makes the fifth black bear sighting in Boise in recent days along with the elk running through downtown last week.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/eyepiece/story/162661.html

http://media.idahostatesman.com/smedia/2007/09/19/10/452-0920_local_bear.embedded.prod_affiliate.36.jpg



Here is a pic from Ktvb showing the bear in the tree.
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/L_IMAGE.11432118fbd.93.88.fa.d0.ed730b21.jpg

[Visualize]

:gtfo2:

[BrianInBoise]

Logicskier broke this one last week... IBR has now picked it up...

http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2007/09/19/Christensen-drops-out-of-Boise-Rescue-Mission-project


Interesting quote... "However, the project may or may not still be 23 stories. It may be redesigned as shorter and squatter to make it more economical, Carley said.":(

That sucks but getting anything built there would be nice...:shrug:

[Sawtooth]

If the developers are sticking with the same amount of units, my question is how much shorter could they go when the lot is so small?
Oh, and those bear sightings are an eye opener. Great news indeed.

[Cottonwood]

Logicskier broke this one last week... IBR has now picked it up...

http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2007/09/19/Christensen-drops-out-of-Boise-Rescue-Mission-project


Interesting quote... "However, the project may or may not still be 23 stories. It may be redesigned as shorter and squatter to make it more economical, Carley said.":(

That sucks but getting anything built there would be nice...:shrug:

This project is still in the pipeline, good news:tup:

[STRMCSR]

Still been lurking around as others have, but with the lack of activity going on, it has been frustrating.

I caught the news last night and they were talking about how ITD is claiming they have no money for I-84 improvements. WHAT??? I thought the whole point of this whole GARVEE bond thing. IDIOTS!!!!

Seems like this world has lost it's ability for reason and common sense. With the fire underneath the Broadway bridge, wouldn't it be prudent to use the insurance money to apply that to rebuilding and widening the whole thing now rather than fix it and then tear it down later??

Let's not talk money again. Like, GEE, I think it will cost less in the future so let's keep holding off. GIMMEE A BREAK!!

I guess let's live for the little joys of:
1. Aspen look's to be making progress
2. Overland Rd is finally finished (man, and isn't it great!!). This should faciliate more development in that area now that it is done.
3. Look's like they have been moving houses out around Eagle and Franklin (St. Luke's Meridian area) and moving dirt around. Look's like they are getting ready to launch into building those much anticipated buildings. Look's like one of them is 7 stories. From the billboard, look's to be on the same scale as the existing medical office building north of the main hospital.

4. Eagle Rd. area north of Fairview Ave is starting to really fill in. For those anti-growth folks, not much more could make the traffic situation worse, so let's go ahead and fill in the rest of the puzzle. Few restaurants coming in (Quobo's Mexican, Fuddrucker's, Cheerleaders Bar & Grill, probably a dozen more Moxie Java's, and a Great Wall Chinese place.

Would love to see the infrastructure get ahead of the situation though. This I-84 thing just makes me infuriated. Needs to be 6 lanes each direction at least between Caldwell and Eisenmann Rd. in East Boise. Why do people think there won't be more traffic in 30 years??? Current plans for widening will put them about 20 years behind once it is complete.

Anyways, yeah, a mix of emotions concerning this whole area. At least it is not as bad as the people that think rebuilding New Orleans in the same space is a good idea.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!! Boise, Idaho, I am still pulling for you!!!:tup:

[Boizean]

^ Maybe WGI (Washington Group International) and/or CIP (Connecting Idaho Partners) pockets are not yet full? :shrug:


You also speak as if ITD should have/has any common sense. That's crazy talk. ITD's fruits of common sense are everywhere, just look. :crazy:

[Bodo_business]

I hate to say I told you so on the C2 project....but if you look back in the SC1 thread, I told you so.

[Bodo_business]

In a bit of news, the rumor in Nampa is that a brand new Macy's is going into the Gateway Center where the JC Penney just opened. Sounds like good news for Nampa, but bad news for Karcher Mall.

[Mr.Boisean]

I hate to say I told you so on the C2 project....but if you look back in the SC1 thread, I told you so.

Why again didnt you think it would work...?

[BOI-IDA]

In a bit of news, the rumor in Nampa is that a brand new Macy's is going into the Gateway Center where the JC Penney just opened. Sounds like good news for Nampa, but bad news for Karcher Mall.
Karcher Mall has been slowly dying for years. Competition is partly to blame, but I think the primary reason is due to poor management, such as allowing tenants to open their stores with no interior mall access.:koko: Filling in the front parking lot with pad sites doesn't help either IMO.

If Macy's does indeed relocate to the Gateway Center, that will leave Karcher Mall with no anchor tenant. If that happens, they might as well raze the building. I don't know what would be a good replacement for the site as most of the national big-box retailers already have sites nearby. However, it might be a good location for a high density residential project.

[alphawolf]

If Macy's does indeed relocate to the Gateway Center, that will leave Karcher Mall with no anchor tenant. If that happens, they might as well raze the building. I don't know what would be a good replacement for the site as most of the national big-box retailers already have sites nearby. However, it might be a good location for a high density residential project.

Come on IKEA!

[BoiseAirport]

Come on IKEA!

God. No.

Anthony

[alphawolf]

Come on Anthony. We all know your dying for a Kramfors Frasig Dark Brown Left Hand Chaise.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f171/alphawolf256/32574_PE122587_S4.jpg

[el conquistador]

God. No.

Anthony

Have to disagree, an IKEA is a good sign o' the times for an area. That corporate overlord doesn't mess around with his locations. I don't think we will see one here for a bit, but I would love it if we did. The furniture stores here suck, jacked up prices for overly-ornate bullshet. I want nice construction with simple lines. We already have quite a bit of IKEA furniture in our house, and would love to not have to travel to get it in the future.

[Bodo_business]

I would doubt we would see an Ikea here within the next 10 years, by which time they will be totally passé anyway.

[alphawolf]

And to the fact that Salt Lake just got theirs, I agree that we probably won't see one in the near future.

[Boysee Boi]

:previous: Portland just got theirs too. Not sure if it's even quite open yet.

If you like the look of Ikea, check out Scandinavia Today on Fairview. More expensive than Ikea, but you get what you pay for. They have much higher quality furniture. I'd furnish my entire house from there if I could afford it, so far only a bedroom set.

[IdahoMountainBoy]

:previous: Weren't there rumors of a Crate and Barrel opening in Eagle :shrug:

[Evo5Boise]

STRMCSR - I was thinking the exact same thing about 10 minutes ago when I read on KTVB.com that they are trying to get the state to raise gas tax to pay for road projects.

Also, I agree with you on the freeways. Why not make them future ready while you already have your manpower and equipment out there? I guess that would just make sense though. Then in another 15 years they will be wondering why they are still having traffic problems on the freeway. Idiots is right.

[BoiseAirport]

LOL, true, I've only been through there once, so my experience with them hasn't been a whole lot, but they just seemed so unclassy!!

Bah, you guys are probably right...though you have to admit, there is something so deliciously sleazy about their 99 cent plate o' breakfast/dinner. :haha:

Anthony

[IdaBoi]

I would doubt we would see an Ikea here within the next 10 years, by which time they will be totally passé anyway.

Blah, Ikea is like a Swedish Wal Mart and is not a status symbol at all. Yes, they choose their markets well, but they also choose markets where they know the population will be fascinated with their cheap crap.

[Bodo_business]

Cheap it is. Crap?....Well, sometimes. However, Ikea does a spectacular job of bringing well designed, practical products to the masses. Like Walmart, Ikea is truly a reflection of the society that nurtured it. I think I like what Ikea has to say better.

[IFtowner]

Boise should get an IKEA...it's a pretty trendy town. I can see one there and NOT Salt Lake...

[Viperlord]

:previous:
You can have our Ikea.
Salt Lake's Ikea is located out in the suburbs by two major highway overpasses. Its surrounded by many other sprawled developments. the one good thing about ikea coming to the market is the other furniture stores that are entering the market as competitors. Ashley Furniture is opening up a large distribution/warehouse showroom closer to the downtown area as a result. This is good news for me as I shop at Ashley furniture. I have not visited Ikea, and dont really have much ambition too either. Ikea's furniture just seems to plain and dull for my taste. I prefer the classier stuff, but everyone to their own right?:yes: :yes:

[boi2socal]

:previous: Weren't there rumors of a Crate and Barrel opening in Eagle :shrug:

If you look at the renderings for the lifestyle center in Meridian one of the buildings is clearly a Crate and Barrel (by design). But it is a rendering and may only be an example.

[Cottonwood]

:previous:
You can have our Ikea.
Salt Lake's Ikea is located out in the suburbs by two major highway overpasses. Its surrounded by many other sprawled developments. the one good thing about ikea coming to the market is the other furniture stores that are entering the market as competitors. Ashley Furniture is opening up a large distribution/warehouse showroom closer to the downtown area as a result. This is good news for me as I shop at Ashley furniture. I have not visited Ikea, and dont really have much ambition too either. Ikea's furniture just seems to plain and dull for my taste. I prefer the classier stuff, but everyone to their own right?:yes: :yes:


Ashley is a nice. There is a Ashley Furniture Homestore on Eagle Road and the store has a great selection. I really like some of the furniture stores downtown like Ennis, but they are so expensive. Ikea is overrated.

[BoiseIdahoan]

Karcher mall isn't dead yet. Burlington Coat Factory just moved into their main anchor space and it did not seem to be like the crap hole out at fairview. I agree though they have had some bad management in the past but there are new owners running it, so we will see.

[Boizean]

Found some information about Boise Park west in the DRC meeting minutes (pages 7 thru 30).

I didn't have time to read the entire discussion. The gist I got was one of DRC's main issues is the transition down from the 17 story portion of the building to the 6 story Idaho Water Building across the street.

Additionally it mentioned the height being approved at 212'. That would make it the second tallest building in Boise!

Here's the link to the minutes;
http://www.cityofboise.org/Departments/PDS/PDF/Hearings/Design%20Review%20Committee/Minutes/2007/07-11-07_DRMinutes.pdf

[Cottonwood]

USA Today article about our humble state. I noticed an error:

The average of about 30,000 new residents a year is small compared with Arizona or Florida. For Idaho, however, it's like adding a major city every year. In 1990, only Boise Falls and Pocatello had more than 30,000 people. Today, nine cities are that big.
Boise Falls?

The entire article is at this link:

No end in sight for Idaho's growth

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-26-Idaho_N.htm?csp=34#uslPageReturn


BOISE — With all due respect to Phoenix, Las Vegas and Orlando, the heart of American's biggest economic boom is right here in Idaho.
In Idaho, the state with the nation's fastest-growing economy, homebuilding hasn't crashed as it has across much of the USA, and a two-decade run of prosperity continues.

Chalk it up, in large part, to chips — computer chips and potato chips. And to a state whose climate and rugged outdoor beauty are attracting highly mobile, white-collar newcomers who could work or live most anywhere.

Why Idaho?

"We've scored a triple play," Ferguson says, "and two of those plays are chips — computer chips and potato chips."

Semiconductor maker Micron Technology, based in Boise, employs 9,000 and has spawned other high-tech businesses. Hewlett-Packard's printer division is headquartered here, too. Computer-related manufacturing has been the fastest-growing sector in the state's economy over the last decade.

In the field, potato prices are high, which is good news for the nation's No. 1 potato producer. In an era of fast food, the spud is the great American vegetable, especially when fried.

The third ingredient in Idaho's boom has been the "amenities business" — hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing, whitewater rafting — that attracts tourists and new residents, from billionaires to young outdoor enthusiasts.

The federal government owns about two-thirds of the land in Idaho, mostly national forests. The state has 21 million acres of roadless wilderness, about the size of South Carolina and more than any state except Alaska.

The weather's good, too. Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho has an average low temperature of 22 degrees in January. By comparison, residents of Fargo, N.D., endure average lows of -2 degrees in January, despite a more southerly latitude.

"We've got a true four-seasons climate here, and that makes our business model work," says Jim Spence, vice president of the new 2,100-acre Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, Idaho.

New condos, homes and commercial buildings there have sold out quickly. More are under construction. The national construction slowdown hasn't stopped optimism in Idaho. "We're not postponing anything," Spence says.

Idaho isn't immune to economic bumps. Micron has laid off 1,000 workers since June. Meanwhile, wages statewide average just $32,500 a year, about 75% of the national average. Income inequality has increased as wealthy out-of-staters have moved in, keeping the economy rolling but not driving up overall wages.

Idaho isn't the only place in the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest enjoying a boom, says Gary Smith, director of the Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Analysis Project. In Bend, Ore., and Missoula, Mont., imported wealth is remaking the economy.

"What's different about Idaho," he says, "is that it's a whole state."

[jimthemanincda]

USA Today article about our humble state. I noticed an error:

The average of about 30,000 new residents a year is small compared with Arizona or Florida. For Idaho, however, it's like adding a major city every year. In 1990, only Boise Falls and Pocatello had more than 30,000 people. Today, nine cities are that big.
Boise Falls?


You don't know about the great city of Boise Falls?

Yeah, it should have said that THREE cities had over 30,000 in 1990-Boise, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello.

[Visualize]

Good article, nothing new, but sweet that it was in USA Today. The most entertaining part was the ignorance of the comments at the bottom.

[Mr.Boisean]

...one of DRC's main issues is the transition down from the 17 story portion of the building to the 6 story Idaho Water Building across the street...


Who cares? Its not that big of a difference. If it was next to a park...maybe.

Additionally, I might have some very exciting (read: BIG redevelopment) news to share here in the coming months. Stay tuned.

[alphawolf]

You never disappoint when it comes to BIG news.

[Visualize]

Additionally, I might have some very exciting (read: BIG redevelopment) news to share here in the coming months. Stay tuned.

You give us warning months ahead of time, that's just cruel and unusual. Good thing I'll forget in a week but c'mon man, give us a hint.

[IdahoMountainBoy]

Is any progress on the Aspen being made?

[Visualize]

^^^Yeah, they are still digging out the foundation and I saw a cement truck there the other day. There are workers out there everyday but it's still 20ft below street level.

[Boizean]

Who cares? Its not that big of a difference. If it was next to a park...maybe.
Well apparently the DRC does. 23 pages of discussion...I was aghast.

Additionally, I might have some very exciting (read: BIG redevelopment) news to share here in the coming months. Stay tuned.
Bout dang time! :banana:

[In Boise]

News on the horizon: The owners of the 4 story brick building on 10th and Main downtown are totally renovating and adding 4 floors of apartments on top. Unfortunately I don't have a picture, or more specific info yet. But I'll post it as soon as I get my paws on it!

[Cottonwood]

:previous: The building on the southwest corner?

[In Boise]

Yes, that's the one. I was not sure what the building is currently called or who the tenants are for that matter. :D

[nobody]

Sweet that's a decent sounding project.

[Mr.Boisean]

Sorry everyone... my tongue is tied for now, as usual, but I'll be relaying some excellent news sooner than later.

[Boiseguy]

I really wish they would just develope from bodo all the way down to this whole foods complex.. making a pedestrian corridor down the whole thing.. outside shops.. highrise condo's.. restaurants... even allow for light rail to enter in... create a substation down there.. I just think that area between Front and Myrtle should be used for something like this... If boise was to ever get shopping centre downtown.. that is where I'd put it.. away from the downtown core...

[Mr.Boisean]

I really wish they would just develope from bodo all the way down to this whole foods complex.. making a pedestrian corridor down the whole thing.. outside shops.. highrise condo's.. restaurants... even allow for light rail to enter in... create a substation down there.. I just think that area between Front and Myrtle should be used for something like this... If boise was to ever get shopping centre downtown.. that is where I'd put it.. away from the downtown core...

I like that idea... a lot. I worry about traffic issuse there with an urban mall though.

Speaking of which...

Once the new convention center gets built between Myrtle and Front there... the old convention center needs to either be razed and turned into an urban mall with some major anchors - believe me, build it and they will come... they are already looking - or some sort of mixed use tower.

We'll know for sure in the 18-24 months about all of that though ;)

[Evo5Boise]

That would be epic Mr. Boisean. And I agree. Level the old convention center!!!

[Boizean]

News on the horizon: The owners of the 4 story brick building on 10th and Main downtown are totally renovating and adding 4 floors of apartments on top. Unfortunately I don't have a picture, or more specific info yet. But I'll post it as soon as I get my paws on it!
Still waiting. :whip:

Is there information about this in their lobby?

[Cottonwood]

Here is some good news regarding Capitol Terrace Apartments.

http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2007/10/01/Ken-Howell-Howell-condo-association-come-to-agreement-on-Capitol-Terrace-Apartments

[Boizean]

...and in additional news...

David Hale plans to start phase 2 of the Linin District.

Hale plans to build up to four or five stories of residential condos atop the Furness Building at 15th and Grove streets in the next phase of the Linen District. The Furness Building is home to the Second Chance Building Materials Center. Anywhere from 10 to 30 condos could be built on top, Hale said

Rest of the article from Idaho Business Review. http://www.idahobusiness.net/archive.htm/2007/10/01/David-Hale-starts-plans-2nd-phase-of-Linen-District

[BoiseAirport]

I'm expected to be flamed for saying this, but here's my honest opinion:

Based on all of the times I've spent at the Grove, if the convention center is razed, I would NOT want to see some 16-20 story behemoth in its place (unless it was on a corner or the side of the lot a la The Grove Hotel). Honestly, as far as the actual design of the tower, I think the Grove Hotel got it close to right. As Mr. Boisean said earlier, I think an urban (outdoor) mall with some major anchors would compliment the Grove VERY nicely, but a 20 story tower rising tall would just overshadow it and ruin the feel.

I wish I could describe what I'm talking about better, but I truly think that if the buildings surrounded the grove, rather than overshadow it, it'd truly be a lot better. And as crazy as this sounds, from a design standpoint (not efficiency, obviously), I think that if the current convention center was just a few stories taller, it'd be perfect. But I don't personally think that the Convention Center is a place for a signature tower.

Anthony

[Visualize]

^^^
I totally agree with you. It would kill the hot summer vibe of Alive After Five if everyone was in the cold shadow of a skyscraper.

I also think they need to convert the parking lot for US Bank into more bricked open area like the rest of the grove. They could double the surface area of the grove by getting rid of that fairly insignificant amount of parking. I suggest that whenever someone finally builds on the south east corner of capital and front that US Bank just pay them to put in one more level of parking for them.