City Government
Hot Time At Bandshell, No Music
April 23, 2018 
Boise firefighters battled a stubborn blaze Monday night at the 90 year old bandshell in Julia Davis Park. The bandshell was named in honor of the late jazz pianist Gene Harris a few years ago.
The historic structure presented a challenge because they didn’t want to damage the structure as the flames began peeking out between the clay tile roofing of the historic structure. Normally they would fight the fire from inside, ripping holes in the walls and ceiling, but fear of structural weakness forced them to attack from outside.
Cause of the fire was unknown, but it appeared to have started inside the backstage area in a corner. The flames went up the inside of the wall and into the rafters.
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Comments & Discussion
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Apr 24, 2018, 9:48 am
What a shame! I hope the damage wasn’t so extensive that they deem it irreparable and tear it down. (A spiffy new “Dave Bieter Band Shell” wouldn’t have the character.)
I have many fond memories of that facility… including memories from the Good Old Days, when there was a municipal band that played there on summer evenings. (Not that boom-de-boom stuff that the kids listen to, either!) (Disclaimer/confession – I played some boom-de-boom when I was a little older, in that same band shell.)
Cause of fire – unknown. My guess: hobos or kids with matches.
Apr 24, 2018, 1:18 pm
I remember when I was young, in the mid 80’s, there were frequent events at the bandshell. My mom would take us there and we would sit on a blanket in the park. I (roughly 3 or 4 years old), would roam around during the music and ‘introduce’ myself to all the other visitors. Mostly, everyone was friendly, we all had a good time, and I remember feeling safe, and enjoying every moment of it.
I miss those days.
Apr 24, 2018, 2:39 pm
Band shell saved: Music to my ears.
Apr 24, 2018, 8:35 pm
Re LD’s comment about attending events at bandshell: why are there no music events like the weekly band concerts in Twin Falls?
Apr 24, 2018, 11:27 pm
BB probably right. Not telling us the cause is suspicious. It must be a politically incorrect cause.
Apr 25, 2018, 11:59 am
How about we NOT spend $70 MILLION on a library and we spend enough on the band shell to make it “modern” yet original and make a really nice graded seating area in front of it.
Beats the $1.5 MILLION we spent on goofy metal trees in front of city hall.
Apr 25, 2018, 11:18 pm
I’d like to second Frank’s motion. The new “trees” in front of City Hall look ridiculous.
Apr 26, 2018, 4:44 pm
Frank and Rebel.. you shoulda seen the big squares from the old days.
May 2, 2018, 12:23 am
I was actually there the entirety of the day I left at about 7:30 returned before 8 and I smelled smoke and the fire department was called and we were there for the entire day of it I can tell you there was no grilling no fireworks there was a bunch of people that were still there that were present when I was there and had left for that short time. It seemed to be when questioning the fire officials there was some heated discussions about arson and will certainly was arson I’m not sure exactly how an arson could have taken place but it seemed to be a slow smoldering fire they never entered the building until they considered it out by shooting water at the top of the building blowing the tiles off the structure. Then some time passed and they finally entered the building for the first time