Boise Development Thread - Part II

[Visualize]

^^^
San Francisco-San Jose = 158

Always seemed like the Bay Area was off the radar while in Boise, despite it not being much further than Seattle, and a global powerhouse.

I'd really like to see these stats as construction job per population to see how it really breaks down. In terms of the Bay Area there is a construction job for every 41,974 people. In Boise there is a construction job for every 35,319. This seems insane considering how much construction I seem to see going on around The Bay. Boise is on fire.

[boisecynic]

Here's a detailed discussion of Esther Simplot Park construction and use of modern GPS technology. With bonus unusual pictures.

http://construction.trimble.com/cust...ilding-natural

HOTLINKED:

Future fish home


Credit: http://construction.trimble.com

EDIT: Also, check out these 2 drone videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLN3Z6lFEYc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7I3es43dwo

[Sawtooth]

Originally Posted by boisecynic

Here's a detailed discussion of Esther Simplot Park construction and use of modern GPS technology. With bonus unusual pictures.

http://construction.trimble.com/cust...ilding-natural

HOTLINKED:

Future fish home


Credit: http://construction.trimble.com

EDIT: Also, check out these 2 drone videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLN3Z6lFEYc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7I3es43dwo

Great stuff! I am excited for this new park to open even though the newspaper said today it will be delayed, but that is ok. This is easily going to be one of the grandest city parks anywhere in the intermountain west.

[Sawtooth]

Rhodes Skate Park
Looks like it is nearing completion.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhode...44759998924407
http://grindline.com/skateparks/boise/













North Hill
http://pdsonline.cityofboise.org/pds...00006&type=doc



The Afton is rising
https://theafton.com/#afton-home



The Fowler
http://www.localconstruct.com/developments/The_Fowler






Two new hotels are better than one.









more cranes

[OhGoodGlavin]

Great pics Sawtooth! When I moved here in 2009 the mood in town was so gloomy that it would have been unfathomable that so many construction projects would be happening simultaneously at any point in the near future.

[Hawk]

I apologize for being late to the conversation about Parcel B. I still though would like to add my 2 cents. So here it is:
It saddens me that the Gardner Co. has chosen to go a long with their current proposal for Parcel B. What they should have done is take full advantage of this opportunity that the city has given them, and develope the super-block to it's full potential. Being as close as it is to the city's core, the super-block is just crying for some mixed-use midrises with ground floor retail a long with maybe one, or two decent highrises. But from the looks of it, that's only a dream.
It just goes to show, that even with the fanfare that the Gardner Co. has recieved over the years, they are still just like every other developer out there who will cut costs anywhere and everywhere possible. Along with focussing solely on the wants, and needs of their "out of state" clients rather then what's best for the area.
That brings me to another subject that I know a couple of you despise: parking garages. As ugly as they are, Boise needs a couple more decent sized ones. Especially if we're going to invest more, and more into public transportation and stadiums. People coming into town for events, shopping and/or dinner will need a place to park. But the curbside parking along with the dwindling parking lots that Boise currently has to offer cannot, and will not  be able to handle the population growth that we are currently seeing. Let alone what's being forecasted.
Parking garages don't have to be boring slabs of concrete either. There are multiple examples accross the globe where they have become beautiful works of art. So the potential for a parking garage that is attractive to be built here in Boise is there. We just need to get passed the constant paranoia about the cost, and who's going to pay for it.

[TonyAnderson]

Originally Posted by boisecynic

Thanks for that. It got me digging. Direct to the source at bls.gov, I found this 2016 data: http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/tabled2.pdf

It's non seasonally adjusted, anyway, looking at the construction data for Feb 2016: Boise has 18.8k const. jobs, more than the rest of the state combined. For fun, compare to Spokane at 11.1k and add in Cd'A at 3.8k for a total greater Spokane at 14.9k. So Boise metro has ~25% more const. jobs than Spokane/Cd'A.

(thousands of construction jobs)
Boise: 18.8
Spokane/CdA 14.9
Reno: 12.4
Vegas: 53.9
Fresno: 14.1
SLC: 35.4
Denver: 92.7 (holy crap) (Is that right?)
Phoenix: 103.2 (wow)
San Diego: 71.4
Portland: 55.7
Albuquerque: 20.2

And in a league of its own, combine LA/LB/Anaheim with Riverside/SB/Ontario 224.9 + 87.2 = 312.1

Oh wait, greater NYC: 354.9

That's some fun info. Looks like Salt Lake is at about 74 with Provo/Ogden included (CSA)

[jthomps4]

Originally Posted by Hawk

I apologize for being late to the conversation about Parcel B. I still though would like to add my 2 cents. So here it is:
It saddens me that the Gardner Co. has chosen to go a long with their current proposal for Parcel B. What they should have done is take full advantage of this opportunity that the city has given them, and develope the super-block to it's full potential. Being as close as it is to the city's core, the super-block is just crying for some mixed-use midrises with ground floor retail a long with maybe one, or two decent highrises. But from the looks of it, that's only a dream.
It just goes to show, that even with the fanfare that the Gardner Co. has recieved over the years, they are still just like every other developer out there who will cut costs anywhere and everywhere possible. Along with focussing solely on the wants, and needs of their "out of state" clients rather then what's best for the area.
That brings me to another subject that I know a couple of you despise: parking garages. As ugly as they are, Boise needs a couple more decent sized ones. Especially if we're going to invest more, and more into public transportation and stadiums. People coming into town for events, shopping and/or dinner will need a place to park. But the curbside parking along with the dwindling parking lots that Boise currently has to offer cannot, and will not  be able to handle the population growth that we are currently seeing. Let alone what's being forecasted.
Parking garages don't have to be boring slabs of concrete either. There are multiple examples accross the globe where they have become beautiful works of art. So the potential for a parking garage that is attractive to be built here in Boise is there. We just need to get passed the constant paranoia about the cost, and who's going to pay for it.

totally agree on gardner. i do like the fact that they filled in the hole, but their work isn't the greatest, imho. they tend toward basic materials and designs. i like the 9th & main building lit up at night, but during the day it's pretty basic. the only things it has going for it to differentiate it from other newer buildings in boise are height and blue windows. even though they're basic rectangles, i like the idaho power and wamu buildings due to the angles that break up the flat walls.

as for the parking garages, we do need more downtown, and i saw the garage at the portland airport last week and really liked it's design. sorry, but i'm an idiot and don't know how to add images

[Cottonwood]

Originally Posted by Visualize

^^^
San Francisco-San Jose = 158

Always seemed like the Bay Area was off the radar while in Boise, despite it not being much further than Seattle, and a global powerhouse.

I'd really like to see these stats as construction job per population to see how it really breaks down. In terms of the Bay Area there is a construction job for every 41,974 people. In Boise there is a construction job for every 35,319. This seems insane considering how much construction I seem to see going on around The Bay. Boise is on fire.

The fire should continue if more of the proposed downtown residential buildings begin construction soon.

Originally Posted by Sawtooth

Great stuff! I am excited for this new park to open even though the newspaper said today it will be delayed, but that is ok. This is easily going to be one of the grandest city parks anywhere in the intermountain west.

Boise already has much nicer city parks compared to other places I've lived. I agree with you about this new park.

[Architecture Buff]

City Center looking good

Greenhouse Simplot Annex

Boise Hyatt Place

Even Stevens Sandwiches remodel with outside patio on Bannock

[Cottonwood]

A few interesting articles in today's paper:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoo...e72790967.html


Boise, Eagle trails are mountain-biking gold

Boise-Eagle is one of four gold-level Ride Centers in the U.S.

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

http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/b...e72798412.html


Boise company creates a night-vision GoPro camera



Highlights
The technology company, Aviation Specialties Unlimited, is known for outfitting pilots with night vision

The Ecliptus devices sell for more than $5,000 each

Early adopters include the U.S. Army and NYPD

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/b...#storylink=cpy

[Cottonwood]

http://www.kivitv.com/news/internati...tions-to-boise

International skateboard and clothing company to move operations to Boise

CEO feels Boise is a good fit for the brand

BOISE, Idaho - One of the largest skateboard, clothing and lifestyle companies in the world has announced they will be moving into a location next door to the newly reconstructed Rhodes Park in downtown Boise.

Element (who is owned by surfing and clothing conglomerate Billabong) will be moving in a retail space across the alleyway from the park to conduct business operations.

CEO and founder Johnny Schillereff told 6 On Your Side that he fell in love with Boise and is looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles where the company currently resides.

When Schillereff realized the quality of the Rhodes reconstruction coupled with the outdoor opportunities of the Gem State, he decided that Boise would be an optimal fit for the brand.

“It was unexpected because of the caliber of the park. It's not unusual to have a good skatepark in a city these days, but the caliber of that park was mind boggling," Schillereff explained over the phone.

[el conquistador]

Originally Posted by Cottonwood

http://www.kivitv.com/news/internati...tions-to-boise

International skateboard and clothing company to move operations to Boise

CEO feels Boise is a good fit for the brand

This is confusing. To me, 'moving operations' means they are moving offices and such. Just sounds like they are setting up a retail space...

[Cottonwood]

Originally Posted by el conquistador

This is confusing. To me, 'moving operations' means they are moving offices and such. Just sounds like they are setting up a retail space...

I found this online as well. It sounds like the operations are relocating here.

http://1035kissfmboise.com/internati...heir-new-home/

Rhodes Park is already making moves for Boise. CEO of Element has fallen in love with our city and is moving their operations from Los Angeles to downtown Boise. This isn’t one of those false news stories, either.



Raise your hand if you wore and/or still wear Element. *raises hand*. The skateboard and clothing company’s CEO and founder, Johnny Schillereff, is ready to leave Los Angeles in favor of the beautiful, outdoor-focused city of Boise, Idaho.


Read More: International Skateboard & Clothing Company Making Boise Their New Home | http://1035kissfmboise.com/internati...ckback=tsmclip

This news is timely for this particular page of the development thread considering Sawtooth posted update pics of the skate park at the top of this page.

[boisenative]

This is confusing. To me, 'moving operations' means they are moving offices and such. Just sounds like they are setting up a retail space...

It was confusing to me too, although the video found at the link el conquistador posted makes it sound like they are opening a corporate office here rather than just a retail outfit.

[TVurban]

http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/at-...nt?oid=3772497

Anybody have some inside information about the changes to the Main Library branch? Or about the ideas/partnership with the Boise Hawks?

[Boisebro]

Originally Posted by TVurban

http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/at-...nt?oid=3772497

Anybody have some inside information about the changes to the Main Library branch? Or about the ideas/partnership with the Boise Hawks?

i wouldn't get too excited about the library. i've seen some of the documents that summarized the various options for the main branch, from tearing it down and building a new modern one (which needs to happen, but won't) to doing nothing at all but a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting.

i haven't heard anything about the hawks, other than financing for a new stadium has been a major struggle and the proposed partnership with boise state fell through.

I'm not too optimistic about it, either -- frankly, boise is NOT a short-season rookie league town.

if they want to see the community more invested in the club, it needs to be a triple-a team. the people who have moved here over the last 20 years demand higher quality baseball. i think it'd be a mistake to build a new ballpark for a rookie league team, but that seems to be their goal.

[Welcome2Boise]

Originally Posted by Boisebro

if they want to see the community more invested in the club, it needs to be a triple-a team. the people who have moved here over the last 20 years demand higher quality baseball. i think it'd be a mistake to build a new ballpark for a rookie league team, but that seems to be their goal.

I agree we need to up the quality or people like me will never be invested in the team. But I do think AA would be fine too. You still have legitimate players that spend some time there. that is also where clubs often send their major leaguer's on rehab stints. This town needs better than short season though. that is a joke for a city of this size

[Architecture Buff]

Future ideas for Boise from the Mayor:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/news/l...e73621492.html

[Sawtooth]

crane spotting
from
Eagle Ridge
Balsamorhiza sagittata




The City of Trees
BOI Tower



Every real city has a River running through it.
It is the blood beating through the cities heart.