Boise Development Thread

[Cottonwood]

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/0...ent-forms.html

Idaho, Basque government form new collaboration
By Audrey Dutton — adutton@idahostatesman.com
Posted: 3:52pm on Feb 20, 2012; Modified: 10:22pm on Feb 20, 2012


Idaho will be an official economic development partner with the Basque Country under a new agreement.

The Basque government will open an economic development office in Downtown Boise, said Mark Rivers, a developer who has been involved in the process. The office will be staffed by a representative of the Basque government. It will open at a not-yet-chosen location as soon as late summer, Rivers said.

Idaho businesses will have a home in the Basque region — likely in Bilbao — that will help them launch into the European market, he said.

[Boisebro]

small update on the Zion's building here:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=5602544#post5602544

[Sawtooth]

Whole Foods, the urban setting and a store wall, that's all.





























Full Frontal on zoom taken at the stop light from my car window.









12th Street




















The Hole

[Cottonwood]

Thanks for the pictures. Visual updates are always nice to see.

[Hawk]

Agreed, Sawtooth always does a great job updating us with pictures.

[Cottonwood]

Occupy Boise. Sorry for venting.


This is obviously not development news, but I justify my post because they are camped on the grounds of a building to be developed into the U of I Law Center. Last week Gov Otter said they need to leave, but a Federal Judge today said they can stay for a while but cannot camp anymore or cook on the grounds, but their tents can remain (um…ok). Does anyone else think their camp is an eyesore? I noticed last week that there are several young trees which their tents are tied to in addition to the large trees. God forbid they are allowed to still have tents there in the Spring and Summer, but what will happen if the state cannot water these trees...they die? What about the dead lawn their tents are creating? This park is right by the Capitol Building, Occupy should show some respect. This is state property, it is my property too, as it is every other resident of the state, not just Occupy Boise's and their handful of people who hang out there. In my opinion, the issue isn’t about understanding their cause, that is a moot point. My concern is that the old Ada County Courthouse grounds remain beautiful and not become ruined. I know I am not the only person who feels this way. Occupy Boise can possibly further their cause by getting a booth at the Saturday Market when it starts up again in April.


What is U of I's timeline in renovating that building?

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/0...ses-tents.html

Federal judge: Occupy Boise's tents can stay, as long as members don't sleep or camp overnight
By Statesman staff

Posted: 11:00am on Feb 27, 2012; Modified: 1:48pm on Feb 27, 2012

[City Of Trees]

If the whole goal of Occupy Boise is to get attention, the past month or two of camping there isn't working towards that goal. I would bike or drive by the site every now and then, see the campground, and think, "meh, same old tents". Evicting them is probably for their own good, as they'll have to think of better ways to grab attention.

[alphawolf]

Retail building goes up at Meridian Town Center

By Sandra Forester — sforester@idahostatesman.com

Posted: 10:38am on Feb 27, 2012; Modified: 11:00am on Feb 27, 2012

"The shell of a 91,146-square-foot retail building is rising on former farmland at 2200 N. Eagle Road, just north of Fairview and the still-unopened Big Al’s entertainment center."

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/0...#storylink=cpy

Fully built out with 400,000 square feet by 2014. Not a bad time frame.

[Hawk]

Originally Posted by Cottonwood

Occupy Boise. Sorry for venting.


This is obviously not development news, but I justify my post because they are camped on the grounds of a building to be developed into the U of I Law Center. Last week Gov Otter said they need to leave, but a Federal Judge today said they can stay for a while but cannot camp anymore or cook on the grounds, but their tents can remain (um…ok). Does anyone else think their camp is an eyesore? I noticed last week that there are several young trees which their tents are tied to in addition to the large trees. God forbid they are allowed to still have tents there in the Spring and Summer, but what will happen if the state cannot water these trees...they die? What about the dead lawn their tents are creating? This park is right by the Capitol Building, Occupy should show some respect. This is state property, it is my property too, as it is every other resident of the state, not just Occupy Boise's and their handful of people who hang out there. In my opinion, the issue isn’t about understanding their cause, that is a moot point. My concern is that the old Ada County Courthouse grounds remain beautiful and not become ruined. I know I am not the only person who feels this way. Occupy Boise can possibly further their cause by getting a booth at the Saturday Market when it starts up again in April.

Posted: 11:00am on Feb 27, 2012; Modified: 1:48pm on Feb 27, 2012

the encampment is a complete eyesore! heck, all that's left there are just what seem like people who don't have a job, nor a place to live. it's just an excuse for them to be lazy and voice their hatred for Government. I don't even feel safe going near the courthouse anymore in the evenings, or during the night on my walks with my dog. they yell, curse, and act totally mental when a car drives by. I'm hoping it's because they're bored, But still it makes people uncomfortable. I met up with an old acquaintance who actually admitted he's only staying at the encampment because he has nowhere else to go, or stay.
I agree with what occupy wall street was created for in the first place, but it has gotten way out of hand, and it has just lost it's original meaning. I don't want to get into politics, and shit like that here on SSP. that's not what this forum was created for. it just strikes a nerve. But it feels great getting shit like this off of my shoulder once in a while.
About the U of I law center there: I have no clue. it could be that they're postponing it until OWS leaves. but that's just a speculation. there are some machinery there blaocked off by a chain linked fence but it only seems like they're doing work when and if they can on the landscaping.

[GrandTeton]

Originally Posted by Hawk

I don't even feel safe going near the courthouse anymore in the evenings, or during the night on my walks with my dog.

For Pete's sake, it's Boise. It's not intimidating whatsoever.
If you really want to talk about eyesores in Boise, a good place to start would be all the parking lots downtown.

Maybe someone should create an Idaho politics thread so I don't have to read about politics when I expect to read about developments.

[Hawk]

Originally Posted by GrandTeton

For Pete's sake, it's Boise. It's not intimidating whatsoever.
If you really want to talk about eyesores in Boise, a good place to start would be all the parking lots downtown.

Maybe someone should create an Idaho politics thread so I don't have to read about politics when I expect to read about developments.

Ha your right wtf should i be worried about. I was only caught up in the moment when i was writing all that. and yea that could be a good idea but i'm not going to steal your idea and create the thread. you totally should though. might become popular.

[Cottonwood]

There is an Idaho statewide thread which many local forumers seem to not get too involved in...maybe politics can be talked about in that thread, I could even rename it. I personally do not see an issue with a post or two being a bit off topic in the development thread because development is kind of slow this week Discussion about the development on Parkcenter came to a halt last week and after that Sawtooth posted some great development pics which only Hawk and myself have commented on.

[Visualize]

Originally Posted by alphawolf

Retail building goes up at Meridian Town Center

By Sandra Forester — sforester@idahostatesman.com

Posted: 10:38am on Feb 27, 2012; Modified: 11:00am on Feb 27, 2012

"The shell of a 91,146-square-foot retail building is rising on former farmland at 2200 N. Eagle Road, just north of Fairview and the still-unopened Big Al’s entertainment center."

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/0...#storylink=cpy

Fully built out with 400,000 square feet by 2014. Not a bad time frame.

I think one of the more interesting points is that:

"About 25 stores and restaurants planned for the center will be new to Idaho, said CenterCal founder and CEO Fred Bruning."

[alphawolf]

And commitments for 73% of the space is damn good. Very curious what the line up of tenants are.

[City Of Trees]

Originally Posted by GrandTeton

If you really want to talk about eyesores in Boise, a good place to start would be all the parking lots downtown.

This really cannot be said enough.

[Cottonwood]

Originally Posted by alphawolf

And commitments for 73% of the space is damn good. Very curious what the line up of tenants are.

I have noticed advertisements for H&M on local tv lately. They are expanding and if SLC is getting one it seems logical Boise would get one too.
Back to those parking lots....maybe Occupy Boise can be moved to that lot on Idaho St and 16th Most of the other lots downtown are not too much of an eyesore because of extensive landscaping and trees around perimiters. There are a few that are less than desirable.

[Bodo_business]

Originally Posted by Cottonwood

I have noticed advertisements for H&M on local tv lately. They are expanding and if SLC is getting one it seems logical Boise would get one too...

H&M is the rumor that I'm hearing too, but not from a solid source yet. Also heard on another forum a few days ago that Dave and Busters is looking at the Valley. That would be interesting considering the recent opening of Pinz and the pending opening of Big Al's. I haven't done extensive research, but I believe that we would be the smallest market D&B has considered.

[boisecynic]

Originally Posted by Cottonwood

There is an Idaho statewide thread which many local forumers seem to not get too involved in...maybe politics can be talked about in that thread, I could even rename it. I personally do not see an issue with a post or two being a bit off topic in the development thread because development is kind of slow this week Discussion about the development on Parkcenter came to a halt last week and after that Sawtooth posted some great development pics which only Hawk and myself have commented on.

Hard to have development without politics. In fact, one of the most difficult things about development is dealing with permits and inspections and the P&Z department. If we want to see more development near downtown, or in Boise in general we should contact the Mayor and council regularly and remind them to ease up a bit, and this is coming from a mayor and council supporter.

Even the whitewater park had to jump through Boise P&Z hoops which weren't demanded by Garden City even though Boise City limits end at the river bank on the Boise side. In other words, nearly the entire project was within Garden City city limits. I'm talking about the Boise River System permit that Parks and Rec had to pull. Is Boise nuts? That area was already a wreck from decades of mismanagement.

I've spoken to quite a few builders who simply gave up on Boise due to the difficulties, and they shifted their focus to Meridian or Star etc. Sure it's a double edged sword, more quantity often means less quality.

Indeed, that Parkcenter Blvd Bella Borgo V 2.0 is already controversial.

Talk to WS Mesa builders about their dealings with ACHD. Look at how Boise delayed the 30th St extension at least twice, once for the 30th St Master Plan and then again for a traffic circle that's arguably unnecessary and eats up significant sq footage of ES Park.

FWIW, I'm going to get out on my bike and take some construction pics soon as it warms up and we get good light. Probably this weekend. The office at Shoreline and Americana is nearly done with rough framing. Framing should start any day now on the Riverview Rehab. A bunch of work has been done on and around the Pioneer Path.

[BoiseAirport]

Originally Posted by boisecynic

I've spoken to quite a few builders who simply gave up on Boise due to the difficulties, and they shifted their focus to Meridian or Star etc. Sure it's a double edged sword, more quantity often means less quality.

Frankly, I had to stop my research into the unbuilt proposals in downtown Boise over the last few decades partly because of school, and also because it was just extraordinarily depressing. I got a sense that Boise really missed out on some wonderful proposals and beautiful architecture because of either politics or really harsh, unreasonable, and in often cases, completely ass-backwards restrictions that made no sense to me whatsoever, I guess in tune with the "Buildings must blend in with the foothills" ideology. I just couldn't stomach it anymore.

I'll revisit it and if possible (I still have not obtained permission yet), I'll post renderings and designs on here that I found, which Boise lost out on, if anyone's interested. I still love Boise, and it's to me the best city to live and grow up in. But it is extremely depressing to think of what this city could've been.

[Cottonwood]

In the past I have spoken with people who have grown up here about a similar topic and their answer is usually that Boise city government in the 60's until Kempthorne was mayor, was almost anti growth...there was that fear Boise would lose its charm and get too big. Kempthorne seemed to become mayor during a golden growth era and attitudes started to change.
That attitude was silly, because Boise is a lot larger than it was even in the 80's and 90's and is still one of the most "charming" and attractive cities in the entire western US.


BoiseAirport, have you researched any info on the Cathedral Place Condos that were planned on Hays Street by the Cathedral of The Rockies? After the historic homes were moved to make way the NIMBY's stepped in and now that lot is a big parking lot with an urban vegetable garden in the growing season. The ironic aspect is some of those Nimby's are probably not around anymore...either dead of old age or they moved That whole fiasco was going on about the time I moved to Boise and all I could think was omg.