Regarding transit, and the possibility that a downtown steel-wheeled transit system could be brought to this site, it is possible — though not very probable gien the per-mile cost of such a system. Re-opening the Orchard spur line from the Bench, over the Boise River, down to Government Island — for a Valley-wide Light Rail system is more foward-thinking, because it intercepts commuters before they need to drive into downtown Boise.

In terms of economic development, the boosterism for a steel-wheel downtown trolley from CCDC seems odd for a re-development agency — since such a system would only bring in a marginal number of additional customers to the downtown. It really only allows the existing downtown workers and retail customers to move around more easily. Is that what downtown businesses prefer? Or would the prefer a bigger slice of the retail market, that a large destination venue would bring?

Bringing an attraction like a Minor League ball park, actually brings more people to the surrounding area. There are a number of cities around the country that have worked the numbers and realized the economic benefit such a venue can be — to the extent that they contributed public funds to the development. It’s up to Boise to do the same — or not.

The one thing Meridian has going for it, is it’s relative centrality to the Valley’s residential population. But is this needed for a destination venue — especially one that would seem to require the majority of event attendees to travel on an over-glutted Interstate Highway & Interchange?

I’m afraid this wouldn’t change much in the future, even after the 10-Mile Interchange is opened. There’s little that State Tax Allotment Revenue or additional GARVEE funds could do to change this. And, I’m not sure local Redevelopment Funds can be spent on a Federal Interstate improvement (like an expanded Interchange) — but I may be wrong. If Meridian chose a transit friendly location near the existing rail spur line, when (if) a Light Rail transit service is added to the Valley, it could draw transit riders from both Boise and Nampa.

Regardless, this came up at the 30th Street Master Plan charette meetings in Feb of 2007. It was determined by the hired urban planning guns, HDR, that neither of those sites, as they currently sit, was big enough for a minor league stadium.

I superimposed Fresno’s stadium on the Bob Rice site 3 years ago. It fit but with no room for parking.

I still cannot visualize any site in downtown Meridian that could support this project without major traffic headaches and noise. Let you know if I hear more about the study, location, etc. FYI: Meridian also has Fairview Avenue, Main Street and 9th Street, which is what confused me on the graphic.

KTA