Business
Simplot Hilltop Home Demolished
By DAVE FRAZIER, GUARDIAN editor When I saw the news reporting the demise of the J.R. Simplot house on the hill overlooking Bogus Basin Road–and the entire valley, not only was I incredulous, but I actually felt a little empty. It was empty for 10 years even after a group of influential Idahoans pushed hard […]
BSU Seeks To Wipe Out Boise Neighborhood
In an informative piece of local reporting, the STATESMAN informed us Sunday that Boise State University has expansion plans which could see the demise of the Southeast Neighborhood along Boise Ave. In a nutshell: BSU officials want to increase the footprint of the school by 50 acres which would wipeout dozens of homes in the […]
2016 Resolution Requests…HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The GUARDIAN promises to at least try to have a more positive attitude during the coming year. One step in that direction would be fulfilling the following list of New Year’s resolutions: –Boise city council will abandon any plans for a trolley or any other permanent tracks in our streets. –Taxes will be reduced across […]
Too Expensive To Live (Work) In Boise?
With daily sad stories about low income folks–many are refugees–being forced out of their apartments due to rent hikes, questions about “affordable housing” are being raised. Those who are being “driven out” are not the homeless living in tents. They are people who have paid monthly rents at places that are in need of improvements, […]
Supremes Rule For GBAD In Frazier Case
The Idaho Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling Thursday said language in a financing contract between the Greater Boise Auditorium District, Capital City Devbelopment (CCDC) Wells Fargo Bank and the Gardner Development Company complies with the constitution whether it is a lease or a purchase. GUARDIAN editor David R. Frazier responded to the District’s petition […]
JUMP Project About To Leap To Life
A sneak peek from atop a parking garage reveals the long awaited JUMP Project–for “Jack’s Urban Meeting Place”–is nearing completion. Simplot Company Chairman Scott Simplot told the GUARDIAN, “We are aiming for a December 4 opening, but plan to have it finished at least before the end of the year.” A source of pride for […]
Idaho Politicos Paid $21 Million By Supporters
The Daily Paper’s Bill Dentzer offered up a very detailed story Sunday about how much in payoffs are “donated” to Idaho politicians. While the story is well researched and has lots of fair and accurate quotes from businesses and lobbyists, the takeaway has to be most of these elected officials are for sale. Sure, they […]
GBAD, Gardner “Got Some ‘splainin To Do”
In the old time “I love Lucy” TV comedy Ricky would say, “Lucy, you got some ‘splainin to do.” Today in Boise the Gardner Company and the Greater Boise Auditorium District have some explaining to do. Gardner doesn’t own the so-called Parcel B where they plan to build a hotel, condos, and a parking garage. […]
Land Board To Get Out Of Business
Five years after the GUARDIAN first broke the story of the Idaho Land Board going into the business of running businesses, the Board has voted to divest itself of more than 20 commercial real estate parcels, most of them in downtown Boise. The big story back then was a STORAGE business. The poster child property […]
GBAD and Visitor Bureau Attract Herpes Convention
The only thing more comical than the Greater Boise Auditorium District landing a convention of herpes experts is the headline in the DAILY PAPER which proclaims: “HERPES EXPERTS IN BOISE AT SAME TIME AS BASQUES.” The Statesman headline writer gets a coveted “DOPE REPORTER AWARD” from the GUARDIAN for perhaps the worst mix and match […]
“Energize Vista” Project Well Intended, But Not Well Thought Out
By DAVID R. FRAZIER, editor Boise GUARDIAN I have been a resident and home owner of the Vista Neighborhood for nearly 50 years. Over that half century I have watched as Boise’s city fathers and mothers–past and present–have dumped house trailers, low cost housing, sex offenders, skinny houses, refugees, and assorted “assistance programs” in our […]
Downtown Coppers Cost 25% Of Calls
A recent story in the Daily paper about Boise PD creating (recreating) a downtown precinct strikes a revealing cord, not so much about crime, but about financing crime-fighting coppers. While ALL of the tax revenue on new buildings and appreciated value on existing structures in the downtown area goes to CCDC, folks on the bench […]
Update: CWI To Get Appraisal
In an unscheduled executive meeting Friday, CWI trustees decided that an appraisal was a good idea after all. They still adamantly stand by their original land deal, however. Here is the complete news release from the CWI Board of Trustees: CWI will Commission Appraisal on Rice Property MEDIA ADVISORY – The College of Western Idaho […]
Boise Public Land Deals Have Dubious History
Latest revelation from CWI is the apparent fact they are attempting to pay 35 times more per acre for land in Boise than land they just purchased adjacent to the Nampa campus. They will close next week on 32 acres for less than they are paying for a single acre in Boise. The recent fiasco […]
No Tax On Private Building Leased By CWI
A little known law allows landlords a tax exemption if they lease to an educational institution has added yet another dimension to the CWI land saga. County records reveal that Sundance Investments has obtained a 100% tax exemption on a building ay 1360 S. Eagle Flight Way for the past six years. The Building is […]
W. Michigan Lost $400,000 on Spud Bowl
The DETROIT NEWS revealed Wednesday that Western Michigan University lost more than $400,000 coming to Boise in December for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Like most schools, the big draw was to perform on ESPN TV. The biggest part of the travel bill was for the 305 member marching band. The school has never won […]
Rep. Moyle Wants Appraisals On Land Purchases
Rep. Mike Moyle of Star told the GUARDIAN Monday he has asked the office of Attorney General to write a “repair” of the Idaho Code to prevent future land purchases without an independent appraisal. He noted that nothing could be done about the current College of Western Idaho scandal over paying more than twice the […]
CWI Has Multiple Venues
“Chicago Sam,” a long time GUARDIAN reader, compiled some info gleaned mostly from the College of Western Idaho website which reveals the institution has multiple venues either owned, or leased in Canyon and Ada Counties. He offers a summary along with the owners of leased parcels to the best of his ability to obtain the […]
Former CWI Foundation Member Attorney Of Record For Land Seller
The College of Western Idaho provided a copy of the sales agreement between CWI and the Bob Rice family trust in response to a GUARDIAN records request. Here is the sales Purchase Agreement-3150 W Main Street which includes a “free return” clause. We found it interesting that a former CWI Foundation board member, Gregory Byron, […]
CWI Board Chair Admits Appraisal Mistake
Mary Niland, chairperson of the College of Western Idaho board, told the Idaho Statesman Thursday, “If I had it to do all over again, I would have looked at the tax assessment and would have asked for the appraisal. All I can tell you is we didn’t think about it. It was a mistake, and […]
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