Boise Development Thread - Page 291

Cottonwood · #**5801** Posted: **Apr 6, 2011, 7:16 PM**

The joys of living in a city with a river!!

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/0...t-closure.html

High water forces Greenbelt closure in Southeast Boise
By Cynthia Sewell - csewell@idahostatesman.com
Published: 04/06/11

Visualize · #**5802** Posted: **Apr 7, 2011, 3:08 AM**

Boise whitewater park gets key gift from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation

BY CYNTHIA SEWELL - cmsewell@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2011 Idaho Statesman
Published: 04/06/11

Quote:

By this time next year, river rats should be cavorting in the city’s new whitewater park.

This fall, after river and irrigation canal water levels drop, crews will demolish the aging Thurman Mill diversion dam and replace it with a state-of-the-art computerized diversion dam and two “wave shapers” — features that will provide boaters waves of varying difficulty year-round. Water features also will include in-river drops, chutes and boulder obstacles as well as riverbank seating.

Construction on the first set of planned river features should be complete by spring 2012.

The river recreation park, located upstream of Veterans Memorial Park, is one of the central elements of the city’s new plan for the larger 30th Street area. Other upcoming improvements include a new 30th Street extension and two additional riverside parks — the Esther Simplot and Bernardine Quinn parks.

The new 36th Street footbridge at the whitewater park connects to Garden City’s waterfront district and is already receiving a lot of foot and bike traffic, according to Idaho River Sports co-owner Jo Cassin.

Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/0...#ixzz1InqNQ9TG

Cottonwood · #**5803** Posted: **Apr 7, 2011, 2:28 PM**

The Albertsons are awesome, they have done so much for Idaho.

greenbearcub · #**5804** Posted: **Apr 7, 2011, 6:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cottonwood

The Albertsons are awesome, they have done so much for Idaho.

They have done good things for Idaho and some bad things as well. They are good at donating money to parks and such. However, their dealings with the school system and most recently Tom Luna are what I would say not on the up and up. I don't want this to become an argument I just want to say my feelings on them. I feel just saying that they are awsome in general is not the best way to say that what they did for the park and what they have done for other parks is awsome.

I would agree that they have done many things for Idaho. I just get picky, I guess and care when donations have attachments. (not in reference to the white water park but other donations) If this is consider off topic sorry just let me know.

City Of Trees · #**5805** Posted: **Apr 7, 2011, 7:05 PM**

So I noticed today that on the CCDC portion of 8th St, there were signs put up facing northbound traffic that instructed bikes to "obey ped signal".

As someone who bikes that section all the time, I'd like to know what that sign is trying to say. Is it concerning bikes trying to plow through on the sidewalk? Or, since it's only on the northbound (i.e., wrong way side), is it a warning to bikes that do go the wrong way down there (which people do all the time without any problems)? So curious....

Cottonwood · #**5806** Posted: **Apr 7, 2011, 7:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbearcub

They have done good things for Idaho and some bad things as well. They are good at donating money to parks and such. However, their dealings with the school system and most recently Tom Luna are what I would say not on the up and up. I don't want this to become an argument I just want to say my feelings on them. I feel just saying that they are awsome in general is not the best way to say that what they did for the park and what they have done for other parks is awsome.

I would agree that they have done many things for Idaho. I just get picky, I guess and care when donations have attachments. (not in reference to the white water park but other donations) If this is consider off topic sorry just let me know.

As someone who has grown up in Idaho I think they are awesome because I have benefited from the Albertson Foundation as has everyone else who grew up in ID. Albertson's has given so much to education in Idaho, from elementary to higher ed. So in a general way I do really mean they are awesome, maybe a more grown up word would be appropriate

I think some of Luna's changes are really needed and I don't have any issue if Albertson's was part of any of that.
But yes, lets keep the passionate Luna topic out of this forum from here on out please and keep the discussion about their donation to the WhiteWater Park.

boisecynic · #**5807** Posted: **Apr 7, 2011, 8:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by City Of Trees

So I noticed today that on the CCDC portion of 8th St, there were signs put up facing northbound traffic that instructed bikes to "obey ped signal".

As someone who bikes that section all the time, I'd like to know what that sign is trying to say. Is it concerning bikes trying to plow through on the sidewalk? Or, since it's only on the northbound (i.e., wrong way side), is it a warning to bikes that do go the wrong way down there (which people do all the time without any problems)? So curious....

Are you talking about the Front St Crossing? Southbound on 8th at Front on a bike has to be one of my biggest pet peeves. On the south side the ped ramp isn't wide enough and the curb juts way to the west. It's awkward at best.

Regardless, the 8th St corridor is a major bicycling corridor and as downtown builds out I foresee problems. This is one of the reasons I was so critical of JUMP. The 10th Street corridor should be preserved for bikes and pedestrians just as 8th is. And Broad St to a lesser extent. Few want to ride a bike down 9th or up Capitol or along Front/Myrtle.

Visualize · #**5808** Posted: **Apr 7, 2011, 10:45 PM**

I've said it before, but I think from the river to Bannock, 8th street should be closed to cars completely, bricked over and landscaped similar to the Grove. There is hardly any reason a car needs to go down 8th, as there are no parking garage exit or entrances along it, and only a couple small parking lots that could be accessed through the alley or cross streets until the properties which are already less than desirable are redeveloped. The alleys could also service the buildings for delivery, which I'm sure they already do to an extent. The blocks in downtown are too small to be divided to allow for a strictly pedestrian corridor, 8th is already broken by the Grove, minimally used to the north and south, as well as being central to downtown. I think if done, 8th would continue to transform into the premier social gathering spot and heart of the city.

City Of Trees · #**5809** Posted: **Apr 8, 2011, 1:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by boisecynic

Are you talking about the Front St Crossing?

No, the CCDC portion between Bannock and Main.

I agree with everything else you said, though.

Quote:

I've said it before, but I think from the river to Bannock, 8th street should be closed to cars completely, bricked over and landscaped similar to the Grove. There is hardly any reason a car needs to go down 8th, as there are no parking garage exit or entrances along it, and only a couple small parking lots that could be accessed through the alley or cross streets until the properties which are already less than desirable are redeveloped. The alleys could also service the buildings for delivery, which I'm sure they already do to an extent. The blocks in downtown are too small to be divided to allow for a strictly pedestrian corridor, 8th is already broken by the Grove, minimally used to the north and south, as well as being central to downtown. I think if done, 8th would continue to transform into the premier social gathering spot and heart of the city.

I also agree with this.

boisecynic · #**5810** Posted: **Apr 8, 2011, 2:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Visualize

I've said it before, but I think from the river to Bannock, 8th street should be closed to cars completely, bricked over and landscaped similar to the Grove. There is hardly any reason a car needs to go down 8th, as there are no parking garage exit or entrances along it, and only a couple small parking lots that could be accessed through the alley or cross streets until the properties which are already less than desirable are redeveloped. The alleys could also service the buildings for delivery, which I'm sure they already do to an extent. The blocks in downtown are too small to be divided to allow for a strictly pedestrian corridor, 8th is already broken by the Grove, minimally used to the north and south, as well as being central to downtown. I think if done, 8th would continue to transform into the premier social gathering spot and heart of the city.

Another reason that the 10th Street corridor should be a through route just as 8th is. It would take some of the burden off of 8th. 8th is without a doubt the most successful corridor. Why not copy it?

I'm not sure 8th should be permanently closed. And which section? I could see the section between Bannock and the Grove being closed to cars at certain hours but not permanently. Some of the business owners need to drive their vehicles to their front doors for legitimate business. Parking helps the restaurants too, especially during slow times, i.e., during winter and after the Farmer's Market closes.

South of Myrtle they could narrow the street by making bike lanes curbside segregated with a parking lane outboard of that.

Here's a better pic of what I'm talking about. I've also proposed this to ACHD officials regarding the 30th St Extension.

Visualize · #**5811** Posted: **Apr 9, 2011, 3:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by boisecynic

Another reason that the 10th Street corridor should be a through route just as 8th is. It would take some of the burden off of 8th. 8th is without a doubt the most successful corridor. Why not copy it?

I'm not sure 8th should be permanently closed. And which section? I could see the section between Bannock and the Grove being closed to cars at certain hours but not permanently. Some of the business owners need to drive their vehicles to their front doors for legitimate business. Parking helps the restaurants too, especially during slow times, i.e., during winter and after the Farmer's Market closes.

South of Myrtle they could narrow the street by making bike lanes curbside segregated with a parking lane outboard of that.

I think 8th will always carry the bulk, as Capital Blvd funnels the Bench right there, as well as a prominent greenbelt pedestrian bridge and the most obvious way to access downtown. Once Pioneer Corridor is completed, and even now, 11th is probably more likely to pick up the slack from how I see it. To me 10th doesn't have a natural flow to get to from the south.

Again, I think 8th should be closed from the Anne Frank Memorial (the river) all the way to Bannock. Yes, some parking will be lost, but a lot will be gained in terms of ambiance. I don't really agree that business owners need to drive right up to the front door. Even if they do, it would probably have to be developed for emergency access, so cars could service them on rare occasion. In San Jose, and I'm sure plenty of other cities, there is a pedestrian corridor stretching multiple blocks. The Paseo de San Antonio below is only available to pedestrians, and has businesses lining almost its entire length. I think this would work even better in Boise due to the pedestrian traffic and the major destinations which would exist at either end and along its length.

http://<br /> <br /> http://www.bing...E5NTkzMzA1Mg==

I do agree that it could be stressed in winter. Solar heat lamps?

I also like the separated bike lane. The problem I see with it could be in terms of safety, and drivers being able to see the fast moving bike riders on the other side of the parked cars when they begin to enter an intersection. This would definitely work well along the 30th St extension where there are going to be a minimal amount of intersections on the west side of the street in relation to its length.

Sawtooth · #**5812** Posted: **Apr 9, 2011, 8:22 PM**

My Beginning of Spring photo thread will be posted in the city photo forum this weekend.

Boisekid · #**5813** Posted: **Apr 10, 2011, 2:48 AM**

Nice pics saw, can't wait for the full thread.

Anyway, I'm sure most of you have heard about the Beef plant closure in Nampa. 522 people out of worrk, and according to the Statesman, that'll raise Canyon County's unemployment 5% from 11.8% to nearly 17%. I'm sure Nampa's unemployment rate will soar above 20%. This is devastating news for the Treasure Valley Economy, and more importantly, those hundreds of families. It'll be quite a while before they all find work i'd imagine. Canyon County and Nampa will now have one of the highest unemployment rates in the Nation.

Pretty awful news, especially when so many things were looking up.

Sawtooth · #**5814** Posted: **Apr 10, 2011, 8:21 PM**

Thanks Boisekid, the thread has been posted.

Sad news for Nampa, but it's most likely just a hiccup, I saw a report that the wages at that beef plant pay as much as most retail does in Canyon County, and with all of the new retail moving in to the western valley area some of those people should be able to find more employment sooner or later, or a new company may step in and buy the location. I feel all is still looking up, the financial company I work for is hiring 200 new people by the end of the year and the wages are good

Cottonwood · #**5815** Posted: **Apr 11, 2011, 6:34 PM**

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/0...safest-in.html

Boise company URS named safest construction company in the U.S.
A national construction group says URS has the industry’s best worker-safety program.
BY AUDREY DUTTON - adutton@idahostatesman.com
Copyright: © 2011 Idaho Statesman
Published: 04/09/11

Boise Benchman · #**5816** Posted: **Apr 12, 2011, 6:10 AM**

Looks like there will be horse racing again @ Les Bois Racetrack...
Pros and Cons probably abound, but I'm glad there will be another entertainment option to the city. Seems odd to have a track just sitting there like it has the last couple years...

boiseaninexile · #**5817** Posted: **Apr 13, 2011, 7:50 AM**

By following a link provided by "urbanguy" in another forum, I was finally able to see some definitive numbers on the Boise-Nampa, ID MSA. I don't recall seeing them posted on here yet. The Boise-Nampa MSA is at 616,561. This puts us well ahead of Spokane; still light-years behind Portland and Seattle.

The numbers are as follows:

"Boise City-Nampa, ID",Metropolitan Statistical Area

2000 Census: 464,840
2010 Census: 616,561
2000-2010 total increase:151,721
2000-2010 percentage increase: 32.63940281

Here is the link for the data:

http://2010.census.gov/news/csv/popu...icro_areas.csv

On another note, the Statesman had an interesting article about some of the plans in/around the Ten Mile Interchange. It will take some time, but this area is set to explode in the future with the Ten Mile Interchange, future Idaho 16 extension to I-84, etc.. Here is the link:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/0...a-airport.html

boisecynic · #**5818** Posted: **Apr 13, 2011, 2:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by boiseaninexile

...
On another note, the Statesman had an interesting article about some of the plans in/around the Ten Mile Interchange. It will take some time, but this area is set to explode in the future with the Ten Mile Interchange, future Idaho 16 extension to I-84, etc.. Here is the link:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/0...a-airport.html

I drove out there on Overland and over the new bridge last weekend and it's amazing. Overland is 5 lanes all the way from Meridian Road to Ten Mile. There's lots of earth moving going on at the south east corner. Looks like it's being primed for a nice big strip mall complex. There's a nice view from up there too.

Boisekid · #**5819** Posted: **Apr 13, 2011, 8:42 PM**

I'll try to find the link and some more info on it, but i know a developer (Brighton Corp??) owns the land in the northeast corner of the interchange and plans quite a few apartments there. Meridian City also has a comprehensive plan for the 10-Mile area. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the new LDS temple near there. I think 10-mile will be the next major north-south route in the valley next to Eagle road. Add in the new freeway that will be nearby and you've got yourself some MAJOR potential

greenbearcub · #**5820** Posted: **Apr 13, 2011, 9:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boisekid

I'll try to find the link and some more info on it, but i know a developer (Brighton Corp??) owns the land in the northeast corner of the interchange and plans quite a few apartments there. Meridian City also has a comprehensive plan for the 10-Mile area. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the new LDS temple near there. I think 10-mile will be the next major north-south route in the valley next to Eagle road. Add in the new freeway that will be nearby and you've got yourself some MAJOR potential

As far as everything I have seen I would say that sounds about right. The Merdian City master plan calls for quite a lot from industrial to High density comercial offices, Mix use areas, Mixed use life center and a possible transit center attached at the rail way up by franklin and ten mile.

And as for the new temple I would say that could be a good guess for the location.

Here is a link to the plan (it is from 2007 so I'm sure somethings have changed) http://www.meridiancity.org/planning.aspx?id=1810 and a link to the future zoning plan. http://www.meridiancity.org/planning.aspx?id=231