Boise Development Thread

[Visualize]

^^ Seattle covered a section of their downtown freeway.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=seattl...ashington&z=16

[GrandTeton]

That's the convention center. It's a nice use of space, although some people tend to camp out under there.

[trekkerguy]

Originally Posted by boisecynic

What cities? I've posted it before, San Diego tunneled covered a stretch of I-15 in a neighborhood south of I-8 but it's only 670 feet long (google maps: http://g.co/maps/y5utm) and that's the only one I'm aware of.

Ah, the beauty of roadtrips, you get to see these things first hand. Both Memphis, TN and Mobile, AL have tunneled sections of road going through or around downtown areas connecting them to highways that allow cross-streets to pass overhead unobstructed

[Sawtooth]

Tunnel them and turn the streets into bike boulevards.

[Visualize]

Aside from 9th and Capital there really isn't much of a reason to lower any other part of Front and Myrtle besides maybe 13th, because there is little to no north/south traffic due to the river and Julia Davis Park. And really the only reason I would like to see them lowered from 9th to Capital is to help fulfill my vision of an 8th street pedestrian corridor from the river through downtown.

[trekkerguy]

Originally Posted by Visualize

Aside from 9th and Capital there really isn't much of a reason to lower any other part of Front and Myrtle besides maybe 13th, because there is little to no north/south traffic due to the river and Julia Davis Park. And really the only reason I would like to see them lowered from 9th to Capital is to help fulfill my vision of an 8th street pedestrian corridor from the river through downtown.

I used to have to take the connector to work every day at about 5:15 and the traffic was constantly getting hung up every block on the north/south traffic.If it was tunneled the traffic between the connector and Broadway could move through unobstructed by the cross streets. And the congestion went all the back to Winco/Civic Plaza.

Dropping those two roads beneath the surface streets would do so much to lessen commute times and lessen traffic density in downtown, keeping it more local.

[isangpogi]

They announced who would be occupying the new construction at Meridian Town Center. Gap Outlet, Chick-fil-A, Marshalls, Gordman's and Petco. I must admit I'm a little disappointed. Previous announcements have stated that Meridian Town Center would be full of upscale tenants new to Idaho. Gap Outlet is new but we've had Gap for as long as I can remember. Marshalls and Petco are certainly not new. Gordman's just opened in Nampa and seems to be a glorified Ross/Marshalls/TJ Maxx. Chick-fil-A has a location at Boise State and will likely have other full restaurants completed by the time this one is done.

Nothing announced is upscale, which is what I thought the intention of the lifestyle center was. I'm sure the economy has put a damper on it, and I'm glad to see something finally getting built there, but I'm worried the center will become another retail center like what occupies two of the other corners of Fairview and Eagle...

Future plans, according to the Statesman, include a large theater and offices set to open in 2013. The center will also have "Bellagio-Style" fountains which would be pretty cool.

Here's the article: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/0...l#wgt=rcntnews

[Visualize]

Originally Posted by trekkerguy

I used to have to take the connector to work every day at about 5:15 and the traffic was constantly getting hung up every block on the north/south traffic.If it was tunneled the traffic between the connector and Broadway could move through unobstructed by the cross streets. And the congestion went all the back to Winco/Civic Plaza.

Dropping those two roads beneath the surface streets would do so much to lessen commute times and lessen traffic density in downtown, keeping it more local.

I understand what lowering the streets below grade would accomplish. The biggest problem is that there would only be a couple exits for downtown, as opposed to being able to access any part of the grid from every block, adding to the congestion on those streets. Unless there were on and off ramps for South Avenue A, and 2nd-6th, which wouldn't be done, they would be almost completely worthless because they don't go anywhere since they dead end at Myrtle. So rather than spending millions and millions of dollars to lower that section, just don't allow cross traffic if the speed of east/west traffic is more valued. But like I said before, 13th to Capital has potential if done right.

[boisecynic]

Originally Posted by Visualize

I understand what lowering the streets below grade would accomplish. The biggest problem is that there would only be a couple exits for downtown, as opposed to being able to access any part of the grid from every block, adding to the congestion on those streets. Unless there were on and off ramps for South Avenue A, and 2nd-6th, which wouldn't be done, they would be almost completely worthless because they don't go anywhere since they dead end at Myrtle. So rather than spending millions and millions of dollars to lower that section, just don't allow cross traffic if the speed of east/west traffic is more valued. But like I said before, 13th to Capital has potential if done right.

Front and Myrtle could remain as local service 2 or 3 lane streets but through traffic could route in a 3 lane covered section.

Wash DC did something similar many years ago where its major boulevards intersect the major traffic circles. http://g.co/maps/y5j2q is a closeup view of Connecticut Ave descending under Dupont Circle. Overall curb to curb width is about 100 feet. But that's a configuration of 2, 2, 2, and 2 lanes or 8 total lanes. Front is 5 12' lanes or about 60' curb to curb.

So picture 3 lanes of Front descending beginning at 5th or 6th with 1 lane wide local access service roads to right and left. After Front reaches its new grade the service streets could merge for a few blocks and The Grove Hotel and Aspen could regain some sidewalk width. Meh, who are we kidding, an elevated freeway would be much cheaper and provide shade for downtown pedestrians. The underside could be rigged with misters and a laser show like the Freemont St Experience in Vegas.

[Visualize]

^^^Now those are some good ideas. I was thinking too simply.

Hahaha....getting creative toward the end, I like it.

[Cottonwood]

Originally Posted by isangpogi

They announced who would be occupying the new construction at Meridian Town Center. Gap Outlet, Chick-fil-A, Marshalls, Gordman's and Petco. I must admit I'm a little disappointed. Previous announcements have stated that Meridian Town Center would be full of upscale tenants new to Idaho. Gap Outlet is new but we've had Gap for as long as I can remember. Marshalls and Petco are certainly not new. Gordman's just opened in Nampa and seems to be a glorified Ross/Marshalls/TJ Maxx. Chick-fil-A has a location at Boise State and will likely have other full restaurants completed by the time this one is done.

Nothing announced is upscale, which is what I thought the intention of the lifestyle center was. I'm sure the economy has put a damper on it, and I'm glad to see something finally getting built there, but I'm worried the center will become another retail center like what occupies two of the other corners of Fairview and Eagle...

Future plans, according to the Statesman, include a large theater and offices set to open in 2013. The center will also have "Bellagio-Style" fountains which would be pretty cool.

Here's the article: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/0...l#wgt=rcntnews

I had the same thought too...but remembered this article from the Statesman that said there would be around 25 new stores, so far 5 have been announced, so hopefully the remaining 20 are new to the area.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/0...-meridian.html

[ATLonthebrain]

Originally Posted by isangpogi

They announced who would be occupying the new construction at Meridian Town Center. Gap Outlet, Chick-fil-A, Marshalls, Gordman's and Petco. I must admit I'm a little disappointed. Previous announcements have stated that Meridian Town Center would be full of upscale tenants new to Idaho. Gap Outlet is new but we've had Gap for as long as I can remember. Marshalls and Petco are certainly not new. Gordman's just opened in Nampa and seems to be a glorified Ross/Marshalls/TJ Maxx. Chick-fil-A has a location at Boise State and will likely have other full restaurants completed by the time this one is done.

Nothing announced is upscale, which is what I thought the intention of the lifestyle center was. I'm sure the economy has put a damper on it, and I'm glad to see something finally getting built there, but I'm worried the center will become another retail center like what occupies two of the other corners of Fairview and Eagle...

Future plans, according to the Statesman, include a large theater and offices set to open in 2013. The center will also have "Bellagio-Style" fountains which would be pretty cool.

Here's the article: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/0...l#wgt=rcntnews

Yes, I somewhat agree with you, but if you've driven by the site, it's clear where these newly announced tenants will be located. The power center portion fronting Eagle Road is what is currently under construction. It's a typical commercial center linear layout, with all front loaded parking, and is suited to these types of tenants.

However, the portion where most of the "New to Idaho" tenants will be is in the Lifestyle Center component with a Town Square layout, which is on the south side of the new Big Al's. There are several pieces of construction equipment in that area now, so hopefully the structures will begin rising by end of spring. This is where the movie theater, sit-down restaurants, and higher-end brands will be located. None of these have been announced as of now, so let's remain optimistic and wait until the big news comes, which I expect will happen sometime this summer.

[trekkerguy]

Originally Posted by boisecynic

Front and Myrtle could remain as local service 2 or 3 lane streets but through traffic could route in a 3 lane covered section.

Exactly.

[Cottonwood]

Originally Posted by Sawtooth

Thanks Missed this as it was buried in the previous page. It is weird to see that old warehouse almost gone and what is left is rubble. This is going to be an exciting year for downtown construction in Boise.

[Hawk]

i'm not sure if this relates to anything currently going on downtown but did anyone else hear like 4 or 5 loud booms this morning?

[el conquistador]

Originally Posted by Hawk

i'm not sure if this relates to anything currently going on downtown but did anyone else hear like 4 or 5 loud booms this morning?

Just boisebro blowin' sh!t up....

[BoiseAirport]

Per Brian Murphy, new Boise State football facilities are breaking ground Thursday! Yet another project under construction (in addition to Eighth and Main, JUMP, Whole Foods, Whitewater park, and the Stadium Expansion).

http://idahobusinessreview.com/2012/...rket-tightens/

Class-A office market tightens
by Brad Carlson
Published: April 9,2012
Time posted: 4:22 pm
Tags: Commercial Real Estate, Leasing, Office space

The market for corporate-style “Class-A” office space tightened in the Boise area in the first quarter. Vacancy in Class-A office space averaged 11.8 percent in the first quarter, down from 12.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, a report by Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate said.

[boisecynic]

Originally Posted by Hawk

i'm not sure if this relates to anything currently going on downtown but did anyone else hear like 4 or 5 loud booms this morning?

Not today, but last fall I heard several loud booms. I was on the greenbelt around the Julia Davis Band Shell area and the booms seemed to be coming from the east side of downtown. Seriously it sounded like TNT. Weird. Sorry Cottonwood if we're going off topic, but the only thing I've ever heard that loud was construction related. So who or what...?

About the missing Compton Warehouse, I love the view coming in from the west now. You can see the Foster's building and that whole block now.

[GrandTeton]

Interesting read BoiseAirport-

The market for corporate-style “Class-A” office space tightened in the Boise area in the first quarter. Vacancy in Class-A office space averaged 11.8 percent in the first quarter, down from 12.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, a report by Thornton Oliver Keller Commercial Real Estate said.

I'm wondering which projects will resume after few more months of this type of growth. At this point it seems that Capitol Plaza is still a while away, but the second phase of One Capitol seems reasonable due to its proposed size and location.

[isangpogi]

Originally Posted by ATLonthebrain

Yes, I somewhat agree with you, but if you've driven by the site, it's clear where these newly announced tenants will be located. The power center portion fronting Eagle Road is what is currently under construction. It's a typical commercial center linear layout, with all front loaded parking, and is suited to these types of tenants.

However, the portion where most of the "New to Idaho" tenants will be is in the Lifestyle Center component with a Town Square layout, which is on the south side of the new Big Al's. There are several pieces of construction equipment in that area now, so hopefully the structures will begin rising by end of spring. This is where the movie theater, sit-down restaurants, and higher-end brands will be located. None of these have been announced as of now, so let's remain optimistic and wait until the big news comes, which I expect will happen sometime this summer.

That makes more sense. I was under the impression that those 5 new tenants were part of the "lifestyle center."