Idaho Falls/Pocatello Development Thread - Page 43

Boiseguy · #**841** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 8:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimthemanincda

The 599K number is from the U.S. Census Bureau. The 404K and 180K numbers are from COMPASS, not from the Census Bureau, that's why they don't add up...

It is highly unlikely that Rexburg will become part of the IF metro in the next 20 years given commuting numbers are not high enough.

Cities do not have to have a population 50K to be a metro area, urban areas do. Here is the Census definition:
"The 2000 standards provide that each CBSA must contain at least one urban area of 10,000 or more population. Each metropolitan statistical area must have at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more inhabitants. Each micropolitan statistical area must have at least one urban cluster of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000 population.
Under the standards, the county (or counties) in which at least 50 percent of the population resides within urban areas of 10,000 or more population, or that contain at least 5,000 people residing within a single urban area of 10,000 or more population, is identified as a "central county" (counties). Additional "outlying counties" are included in the CBSA if they meet specified requirements of commuting to or from the central counties. Counties or equivalent entities form the geographic "building blocks" for metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas throughout the United States and Puerto Rico."

Coeur d'Alene has the 3rd largest urban area in the state, after Boise and Nampa. The city of Cd'A is contiguous with the cities of Post Falls and Hayden, pushing the urban area number way past the 50K threshold. Twin Falls is not quite at that number yet. Lewiston barely passes that number since it includes the town of Clarkston, WA.

I see.. ok that makes sense then...
so essentiall for twin falls, they just need to grow and to connect filer/buhl/kimberly.. and they'd be well into metro category...

jimthemanincda · #**842** Posted **Mar 25, 2009, 10:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boiseguy

I see.. ok that makes sense then...
so essentiall for twin falls, they just need to grow and to connect filer/buhl/kimberly.. and they'd be well into metro category...

Yeah, it will happen soon. If not, the city of Twin Falls itself will have 50,000 residents in the next 8-10 years if current growth continues, so it will be a metro then.

IFguy · #**843** Posted **Mar 26, 2009, 6:44 AM**

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=10072608

Here's a neat little nugget to go along with the current conversation.

Boiseguy · #**844** Posted **Mar 26, 2009, 2:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFguy

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=10072608

Here's a neat little nugget to go along with the current conversation.

I think idaho falls is poised to boom even more... housing is dirt cheap... other costs of living are cheap... great quality of life.. high paying jobs coming to the area, and close proximity to some of the most beautiful area's in the world

I've always wondered why Idaho falls doesn't expand their airport.. I could be wrong but does it have anything to do with state politics? I just think there is a huge opportunity for idaho fall's airport.. a little bit of marketing could go a long way.... Fresno's airport serves as the entrance to Yosemite... I think that Idaho falls airport could be more of the same for Yellowstone

jimthemanincda · #**845** Posted **Mar 26, 2009, 4:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IFguy

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=10072608

Here's a neat little nugget to go along with the current conversation.

Yeah, IF was the 8th fastest growing metro over the past year and 38th fastest growing metro since 2000.

Here are the growth rate of the Idaho metros:

2000-2008:
1. Boise 13th of 363 metros 29.0%
2. Coeur d'Alene 21st 26.5%
3. Idaho Falls 38th 21.0%
4. Pocatello 202nd 6.5%
5. Lewiston 241st 4.2%

2007-2008:
1. Idaho Falls 8th of 363 metros 3.2%
2. Coeur d'Alene 25th 2.4%
3. Boise 34th 2.2%
4. Pocatello 149th 1.1%
5. Lewiston 182nd .8%

pop culture · #**846** Posted **Mar 30, 2009, 9:53 PM**

The gas station just west of the river, grandview/Highway 20 + Foote Drive, is being demolished at this moment. Does anyone know what's up next for this property ?

IFguy · #**847** Posted **Mar 31, 2009, 5:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pop culture

The gas station just west of the river, grandview/Highway 20 + Foote Drive, is being demolished at this moment. Does anyone know what's up next for this property ?

My best guess, which is just speculation, due to the proximity to two of the busiest highways on this side of the state would be another gas station. Probably another Maverick due to their increased presence in the area. Would be a great location for them. I do remember reading the listing for that property months ago that it would be a great location for a gas station and would need to have a contract for fueling the INL busses.

Just my guess though.

N2I.F. · #**848** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 5:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boiseguy

I think idaho falls is poised to boom even more... housing is dirt cheap... other costs of living are cheap... great quality of life.. high paying jobs coming to the area, and close proximity to some of the most beautiful area's in the world

I've always wondered why Idaho falls doesn't expand their airport.. I could be wrong but does it have anything to do with state politics? I just think there is a huge opportunity for idaho fall's airport.. a little bit of marketing could go a long way.... Fresno's airport serves as the entrance to Yosemite... I think that Idaho falls airport could be more of the same for Yellowstone

I agree, Boiseguy, about the airport. I think there are efforts in the works to attrack another airline, but everything takes time. Getting that multi-million dollar repaving done of the runways had to be done first.

Meanwhile, here's a link to a story published in the Post Register about Aero Mark. Aero Mark, the local FBO/service center etc., just built a new 30,000 sq. ft. hangar. That makes it the largest hangar in Idaho.

Air Force One, a 747, has been a client along with many other private businesses, private planes carrying VIPs. Warren Buffet and others have seen the inside of this new facility. Jackson Hole still can't land a 747, so they are diverted to Idaho Falls.

While the Idaho Falls airport use continues to grow (2008 numbers will be down, given being closed for all of Sept. due to the runway being repaved), I think some of the growth Idaho Falls Regional Airport is seeing is private. However, I look for more growth as Idaho Falls seems to be a cheaper alternative than Bozeman or Jackson to access Yellowstone.

What you may not know, is besides Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Jackson Hole and Bozeman; Cody, WY opens up for seasonal service just for Yellowstone. However, the biggest planes still land at Jackson and Idaho Falls year round.

Here's the link to the Aero Mark article, originally written by Clark Corbin and published in the Post Register. http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/Top-News-Headlines/Betting-big-Aero-Mark-builds-Idahos-biggest-private-hangar/1$26979

When the helicopter training school opened in 2007 at the Idaho Falls Airport, it doubled its capacity to train helicopter pilots in less than a year. Additionally, with Omni operating a fixed wing air ambulance based AT THE AIRPORT, which works with the local helicopter/ambulance service for EIRMC, more business seems to be headed to the airport.

Omni was wise to jump in when they could, IMHO. In the few months they've been in business and had crews stationed at the airport 24/7/365, including a Paramedic, RN and pilot/shift, they are averaged at least one flight/day. That's in the slow months prior to major tourism and trauma season. The maternal-fetal service and Level III NICU at EIRMC account for a lot of the transports, but the fixed wing aircraft are also transporting trauma patients from longer distances as well. Omni had the vision/opportunity to be the business to offer the services.

For some reason, many don't know either about the fixed wing medical transport team at the airport (which is additional to the 24 hr team based at EIRMC) or the new Aero Mark facilities. I'm puzzled about that one of why people don't know.

Maybe someone here can help me, but it seems like it was about 3-4 years ago the airport did expand a lot of apron on the southwest side to build additional hangars. This resulted in many local businesses either renting them for their private or shared aircraft.

With the $2 Billion Areva Eagle Rock plant on the horizon, hopefully Interntional Isotopes making Idaho Falls their international headquarters along with other companies, let alone the continued development, business and tourist travel, I see the need for more facilities at the Idaho Falls Airport.

N2I.F. · #**849** Posted **Apr 5, 2009, 6:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boiseguy

I think idaho falls is poised to boom even more... housing is dirt cheap... other costs of living are cheap... great quality of life.. high paying jobs coming to the area, and close proximity to some of the most beautiful area's in the world

I've always wondered why Idaho falls doesn't expand their airport.. I could be wrong but does it have anything to do with state politics? I just think there is a huge opportunity for idaho fall's airport.. a little bit of marketing could go a long way.... Fresno's airport serves as the entrance to Yosemite... I think that Idaho falls airport could be more of the same for Yellowstone

Just a little more info about KIDA:

Per Flight Aware, here are the numbers of aircraft at the airport for Idaho Falls vs. Pocatello. I think one may be seeing some shifting to more private flights, although more commercial flights are needed.

For Idaho Falls these are the numbers, per Flight Aware:

144 Aircraft Based At Airport
Single Engine - 110
Multi Engine - - 19
Jet - - 7
Helicopter - 5
Glider/Ultralight - 3
Military - -0

For Pocatello:

70 Aircraft Based At Airport
Single Engine - -47
Multi Engine - - 21
Jet - 1
Helicopter-1
Glider/Ultralight -0
Military -0

N2I.F. · #**850** Posted **Apr 12, 2009, 7:52 PM**

BEA will be leasing a new 30,000 - 40,000 sq. ft. light industrial/office building in the INL Research Education Campus (AKA - REC). Estimated date of occupancy July, 2011.

Does anyone know if this will be another Voigt building, or if other potential builders/land owners will be building? I'm not aware of what other developers own land in the REC area, who are willing to build a new building to lease for 10 years to BEA. Besides, no payment until occupancy severly limits what developers may be able to develop.

It's good to see another building in the education sector being built.

What companies occupy the original Voigt Buildings in the REC? I don't know and wondered who could tell us more info here?

Thanks.

IFguy · #**851** Posted **Apr 14, 2009, 7:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2I.F.

BEA will be leasing a new 30,000 - 40,000 sq. ft. light industrial/office building in the INL Research Education Campus (AKA - REC). Estimated date of occupancy July, 2011.

Does anyone know if this will be another Voigt building, or if other potential builders/land owners will be building? I'm not aware of what other developers own land in the REC area, who are willing to build a new building to lease for 10 years to BEA. Besides, no payment until occupancy severly limits what developers may be able to develop.

It's good to see another building in the education sector being built.

What companies occupy the original Voigt Buildings in the REC? I don't know and wondered who could tell us more info here?

Thanks.

N2IF- Consider though that Voight builds alot of spec buildings with no tenants in mind, I would think that they would probably take on this project considering they have now built 4 buildings as part of the REC Campus. I know of at least one tenant is Security Connections but I haven't been by in awhile so I'm not sure of the others.

As I recall, part of the contract that BEA has with the DOE is that they will continue to expand the "campus" throughout the course of the contract. So far it looks as though they are holding up on that part.

Here is a weird question: I was at Edwards a few weeks back, took the kids to see Monsters vs. Aliens, and one of the ADS playing before the previews was for Idaho State University Idaho Falls. It also said "coming this fall", so does that mean that IF now has an "official" campus for ISU or are they just marketing themselves as ISU-IF to draw more students?

I know N2IF and I have had many conversations about how one day the IF campus may end up being bigger than the Poky campus, but is this the start of the process to bring a 4 year University to Idaho Falls? If so, this could be one hell of a boon to Idaho Falls. As long as I am on this path, what if the state doctor school was opened in Idaho Falls, considering the strength of the medical industry in the city, EIRMC, Mnt. View, ect?

IFguy · #**852** Posted **Apr 23, 2009, 7:25 AM**

Don't have too much time to elaborate right now so here it goes.

1. Areva has announced it wants to double the size of it's Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility!

2. Idaho Falls as well as Boise have made another "Best places to live list".

3. Idaho Falls is going to go ahead with the completion/expansion of Hitt Road and finally, finally cure the ill that has been that bottleneck for so many years. I bet construction should start in June or July. I would believe that the signal at 1st and Hitt would be included. This should jump start development along that stretch.

N2I.F. · #**853** Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 10:58 AM**

Finally, after about 20 years, the new $48 Million, 131,000 sq. ft. research lab building for INL has been announced.

It will be built on the INL campus in Idaho Falls. These drawings are difficult to see. Will see if others can be added.

www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=10276624

I believe Boyer Construction of SLC, UT is building the building.

N2I.F. · #**854** Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 11:27 AM**

INL's release about the new research lab:

inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1555&mode=2&featurestory=DA_312150

A Boise company designed the building, I just can't remember which one. If anyone has access to better pics, please post here.

Construction should start in the fall and take about two years.

Boiseguy · #**855** Posted **Apr 30, 2009, 6:30 PM**

Ok, do any of you idaho falls people know anything about a new energy source being developed at INL? I was talking to a professor at Boise State, and apparently a student at boise state has come up with some new research regarding energy for cars etc.. as a replacement for oil...
I don't remember all the specifics.. but apparently the student has sold the technology to the government for 200 million dollars.. it has something to do with the bio degrading of some plant that produces a byproduct that can be used in making a fuel for cars...and it's suppose to be taken on at INL
I thought it was a little weird.. but apparently this professor is on cloud nine because when it comes out it will have great recognition for boise state, idaho, and INL...

Cottonwood · #**856** Posted **May 19, 2009, 8:16 PM**

It is anti porn month up the road in Sexburg! err Rexburg

http://rexburgstandardjournal.com/ar...15/news/45.txt

WHEREAS, pornography presents youth with a false and distorted image of human sexuality, devoid of love, commitment, and responsibility; and

WHEREAS, pornography leads both children and adults into destructive sexual addictions; and

WHEREAS, pornography contributes to the breakup of marriages; and

WHEREAS, much pornography features and promotes sexual violence and other irresponsible behavior in an era of increasing sexual violence and an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases; and

WHEREAS, so-called "adult" pornography is commonly used by pedophiles to desensitize children and break down their resistance to sexual acts; and

WHEREAS, children molest other children in imitation of what they have seen in pornography; and

WHEREAS, there are Federal and State obscenity laws against hardcore pornography to protect public safety, public health, and public morality; and

WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has held that obscenity is not protected speech under the First Amendment, and has said that there is a right of the Nation and the State to "maintain a decent society"; and

WHEREAS, Americans throughout this great nation will be participating in various ways to support the enforcement of obscenity laws;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Shawn Larsen, by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the City of Rexburg, do hereby proclaim MAY 2009 as "WHITE WRISTBAND AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY MONTH."

IFtowner · #**857** Posted **May 20, 2009, 12:42 AM**

What. the. fuck.
That's pretty funny to me...

Boiseguy · #**858** Posted **May 21, 2009, 8:05 AM**

what a crazy little town....

VelvetElvis · #**859** Posted **May 21, 2009, 4:17 PM**

The proclamation is a bit odd and unecessary with its colonial-legalize tenor. It implicitly suggests that the line between the obscene and, well, its antithesis has been clearly established. But I suppose I have a more moderate response to what the mayor in Rexburg is doing. I'm a bit ambivalent when it comes to the idea of public conversation about pornography and obscenity. Certain societal ills are undeniably exagerated by the consumption of pornography, but I think public campaigns in this regards can easily be highjacked for personal, political or group agendas. "Obscene" programming can be very addictive and detrimental for the individual and we have a responsibility to address these issues. So conversation and regulation is vital but I have my own pet peeves. I wont elaborate too much, but from time to time I meet people and I wonder how they make their way through ANY town in Europe! I imagine them spinning around in a half-zombie state muttering to themselves as they stumble upon image after image of the human form depicted in statues, architecture (is this a skyscraper forum?) frescoes... you get the point. Anyways, there is nothing remotely related to development hapenning in IF at the moment. I live in a very small town. But I will be heading to Jackson (for the first time) this weekend. If I take any good images I might post a few.

N2I.F. · #**860** Posted **May 31, 2009, 9:20 AM**

I saw the announcement that both the Idaho Falls and Boise Ruby River Restaurants were closing, "for good." Then, in the next line or so the announcements say how Sizzling Platter, the parent company, may convert the Idaho Falls facility to a Sizzler. Ever since TCOR was announced, SOMEONE or a GROUP of people have wanted a Sizzler in that area. What a NON-SURPRISE for me.

Personally, I like Ruby River, so I'm sad Idaho residents didn't have the opportunity to become as familiar with the diverse menu as those in UT. Also, the press release is very clear the Idaho restaurants are closing to keep the UT ones open.

I have a couple of views on this I want to check out with others. First, I think it is unwise to use words closing permanently, and then state what replacement restaurant the parent company would like to have. In this case another Sizzler.

Secondly, my own opinion is Ruby River certainly has steak, but the menu is so much more diverse than that. I'm not sure how many people are familiar with getting burgers, salmon, salads etc. at Ruby River. Makes me wonder about the marketing.

Mostly, what I really wonder is how much the "failure" of the Idaho Falls location is due to the Marriott not being built on time. Yes, the economy is difficult right now. However, if the Marriott were open and guests who have a per diem/day opted to use it for Ruby River, I think the results could be very different.

So do you think there were local pressures, other than "the economy," to close Ruby River so a Sizzler could be in TCOR? As long as I can remember in the discussion about TCOR, the Walker brothers have wanted a Sizzler there. In some ways they appeared upset when Sizzling Platter built a Ruby River.

I'm no expert here, just know Logan, UT's economy isn't better than the local one in Idaho Falls. With the new $10 Million grants to focus on non-nuclear science at INL, building more buildings for INL, many state the economy in certain sectors of Idaho Falls as doing well (especially INL, spin offs and INL-contracted business). In that sense, it puzzles me why guests use to Washington, D.C. and elsewhere wouldn't like Ruby River, UNLESS they were directed elsewhere. :hmmm"

Conversely, I do know that guests who eat at either Applebees or Olive Garden receive at least 10% off of their entire bill, if they show certain hotel key cards. Yet, I never heard of any hotel sending guests to Ruby River.

Many hotels have discounts for ALL the hotels in their area. What do you think was going on?:irked"

So do you think Shari's across the street has taken up the slack that much, or do you think there is some "business" going on which isn't totally being announced? I could go more with the economy if Sizzler hadn't been mentioned in the same paragraph. It just doesn't seem right to me. Rather, a slick way to get a Sizzler close to where McNeil wanted one.

Or, do you think this is strictly about the economy?

For the record, I won't be surprised to see Ruby River open again in Idaho Falls someday, at a different location, such as closer to Hitt Road, or the area of Sunnyside that is going to get some commercial going. I could easily see one in Snake River Landing.

What do you think? Should we take this story at face value as a straight forward story? Or do you feel like I do that there is more to this story than we are being told?

Thanks for your views. This just doesn't feel right to me.