Idaho Falls Development Thread - Page 58

IFguy · #**1141** Posted: **Jun 8, 2012, 3:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VelvetElvis

I've got a rendering, but I need to hold off a bit longer before I post it. Portions of it are still in the design phase so it will likely change a bit anyways. I'm comfortable giving a few more details at this point though. The majority of the building will be 3 stories and a bit sprawly. Yeah, I know you guys were hoping for a bit more height, but what do you expect at that site? I think they are working with more of a campus concept. But the treatments and design features aren't bad. There are a few tower/pinnacle/minaret structures that reach 4 floors and a bit higher at the peak of their pyramid like roofs. The building will house a few theaters/large multi-media conference rooms. There are some very large, pyramid shaped skylights on the roof, I'm guessing to open up the interior space to some natural light. The exterior treatment looks to be consistent if not a step up from the exterior of the buildings already at that exit 113 complex. All in all, I'm not dissappointed. Did you really think Melaleuca would contribute to urban infill? The money the corporation gives is generally very self serving in terms of promotion and/or satisfying their owner's hobbies and personal interests. I do wish they were a bit more authentically charitable and supportive of downtown. Yeah, yeah, I know they fund the fireworks, but "he" has a weird fetish with fireworks so I'm not surprised. For the size of the company, they are one of Idaho Falls' least generous corporations. Idaho Falls' cultural offerings have never benefitted one cent from Melaleuca. Anyways, given their track record, I think the building is going to exceed reasonable expectations. And if you are reading this Melaleuca PR department, go easy on me and realize I'm just trying to be honest with the situation as I have experienced it.

I've noticed that Melaleuca has a bid out... time to drop those renderings yet?

IFguy · #**1142** Posted: **Jun 22, 2012, 3:26 PM**

Memorial Drive project is a go!!! Monday July 9th will be what some hope will be the beginning of a new look for downtown and a renewed interest in developers for the downtown core. I for one and very excited as I have seen what Boise has done with it's greenbelt and subsequent developments that have followed. Hopefully we will get the walking bridge over the river next year as well, as I hear that was to be sponsored by the INL, there shouldn't be a cost associated to the city.

For any interested out of towners, here's a little update on the going ons in our fair city.

The Marriott is ever so close to completion. The developer is holding out hope for a late July opening.

Pancheri Overpass project is in full swing and expected to wrap up the bulk of the project by November. This includes widening the road for another 3/4 of a mile.

There are currently two three story buildings under construction at the INL campus north of town, with completion of one expected this year while the other next year. These are good looking facilities. I have pics from two months ago, perhaps I will post later.

Still waiting however on news about Costco, Areva, the events center and the Melaleuca corp hq. Plenty of great projects waiting in the wings.....

eastidaho · #**1143** Posted: **Jun 22, 2012, 3:46 PM**

IFguy · #**1144** Posted: **Jun 22, 2012, 4:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastidaho

Awesome! I do believe this is what downtown has been missing. I really like the fountain and spray pool. The walkway not being asphault or concrete is a huge plus as well.

isangpogi · #**1145** Posted: **Jun 22, 2012, 5:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFguy

Awesome! I do believe this is what downtown has been missing. I really like the fountain and spray pool. The walkway not being asphault or concrete is a huge plus as well.

Sounds great! I love the footbridge idea, since the only way to cross between the south and north sides of the river is Broadway or US-20... It can be a real pain when you want to get from halfway between the two to the other side...

jimthemanincda · #**1146** Posted: **Jun 29, 2012, 7:15 PM**

2011 US Census city results are in...
As of July 1st of last year, Idaho Falls had 57,646 people (over 1% more than in 2010). Ammon had 14,019 (over 1% more than in 2010).

alphawolf · #**1147** Posted: **Jun 30, 2012, 9:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFguy

Still waiting however on news about Costco, Areva, the events center and the Melaleuca corp hq. Plenty of great projects waiting in the wings.....

Whats this about Costco coming to Idaho Falls?

Bob The Builder · #**1148** Posted: **Jul 1, 2012, 2:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphawolf

Whats this about Costco coming to Idaho Falls?

I too have heard that Costco is coming to I.F. which would be great. However I have hear this for the last 3 years now. Too bad it wasn't there when I lived there

.

IFguy · #**1149** Posted: **Jul 1, 2012, 1:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob The Builder

I too have heard that Costco is coming to I.F. which would be great. However I have hear this for the last 3 years now. Too bad it wasn't there when I lived there

.

The rumors have picked up substantially this year. There is a back and forth battle between Idaho Falls and Ammon about who will give them better incentives. Costco is probably waiting to see just how good of a deal they can get before they make a decision.

Sawtooth · #**1150** Posted: **Jul 16, 2012, 3:12 AM**

Last week I visited the homeland and had time to take over 200 photos, so a city photo thread is in the works. Here are a few

eastidaho · #**1151** Posted: **Jul 16, 2012, 2:56 PM**

Nice. You know I have been waiting a while for this...

Sawtooth · #**1152** Posted: **Jul 16, 2012, 6:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastidaho

Nice. You know I have been waiting a while for this...

Me too because I thought I was going to be able to post a photo thread of beautiful downtown I.F. last year and the year before but a least I was able to photograph it with my new DSLR.

The photo thread will be up soon. Idaho City is on deck too.

Sawtooth · #**1153** Posted: **Jul 17, 2012, 6:54 AM**

city photo thread coming soon.

VelvetElvis · #**1154** Posted: **Jul 17, 2012, 3:33 PM**

Looking forward to more photos Sawtooth.

Cottonwood · #**1155** Posted: **Jul 18, 2012, 4:10 PM**

Nice, Idaho Falls has some great old buildings.

Sawtooth · #**1156** Posted: **Jul 20, 2012, 12:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VelvetElvis

Looking forward to more photos Sawtooth.

I hope to have the photo thread posted this weekend.

IFguy · #**1157** Posted: **Jul 26, 2012, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VelvetElvis

I've seen a preview of the new Melaleuca headquarters building. It's huge. I can't think of another comparable structure in the Idaho Falls area. When it is approriate, I will see if I can get a rendering and I will post it. In square footage alone it is nearly half the size of the current Salt Palace. I really can't say anything more right now.

How long you holding out? Vandersloot said in the paper today that they would make an announcement soon. Shouldn't make a difference if you show us, right?

He was quoted as saying 350,000 sq ft. for the building and also said it would be "buildings" as well as an improved York Road and a sewer line upgrade. Also the area is going to be home to more than just Melaleuca, as other businesses are locating there as well.

Huge news if you ask me.

IFguy · #**1158** Posted: **Aug 15, 2012, 7:10 PM**

Some positive news today! Areva secured a contract with the UAE for enriched uranium which might help get the Idaho Falls plant going soon. Hope to hear more soon.

Cottonwood · #**1159** Posted: **Oct 3, 2012, 3:22 PM**

What's been going with Idaho Falls developments the past few months? On another note, I read in the Boise news last week how some trees were poisoned by a hotel entrance. Do you think the hotel secretly wanted them out of the way? Anyone who would poison a tree is a loser.

IFguy · #**1160** Posted: **Oct 3, 2012, 7:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cottonwood

What's been going with Idaho Falls developments the past few months? On another note, I read in the Boise news last week how some trees were poisoned by a hotel entrance. Do you think the hotel secretly wanted them out of the way? Anyone who would poison a tree is a loser.

Well since you asked... this year has actually set a record for building permit valuation for the city and that does not include projects such as Loves Travel Stop or whatever secret project Melaleuca is working on at Exit 113.

Work is continuing on the INL complex on the north end of town, the Pancheri overpass is somewhere around a month from completion as well as the Memorial Drive project.

The Marriott is now open as well as the Celt Pub, which should help Idaho Falls out as far as downtown developments go.

School District 91 is in the process of either building or renovating 4 elementary schools...I voted yes on this levy increase BTW.

I think more than anything right now, any developer interested in Idaho Falls is waiting on what Costco will do, if anything at all. Both Ammon and Idaho Falls have made huge proposals to draw them in.

And up in the little burgh named Ucon, Cives Steel is still awaiting approval from the city council. Up to 150 new jobs to be created and hopefully the city quits dragging its heels before Cives says screw it.

A few months ago (I forget the name of the publication) named Bonneville County as #8 on where the jobs are and referenced Areva as still being a possibility.

That's all I can remember right now. Hope I gave you some new info.