CCDC
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, […]
Doldrums, Apathy, Smoke, Limit Guardian News
We probably owe loyal GUARDIAN readers an apology and explanation for the dearth of posts during the past month or so (for non-library types, DEARTH: a scarcity or lack of something). To be frank, we haven’t had much to say. The fires are burning, the smoke comes and goes, and it takes the TV “chief […]
Where Are Boise Council, Mayor Candidates
Unlike the Republican presidential race which is 15 months away, no one seems interested in running for office in the city of trees. Dave Bieter is already calling around begging for campaign donations, grabbing air time during the recent soccer match promotion and not a single person has even offered so much as a hint […]
Ada County To Sever Ties To CCDC
Most folks are unaware that Boise City’s urban renewal agency owns the Ada County Courthouse through a convoluted “lease” agreement which was used to deny voters the right to approve or reject the debt. Capital City Development Corp (CCDC) financed the courthouse, but now the current Commishes are aiming to pay off the thinly disguised […]
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 […]
CWI Project Could Be “Under Water”
In our never ending quest to provide factual information on public issues, the GUARDIAN has posted the following flood plain map from the Corps. of Engineers as it relates to the Bob Rice purchase at White Water and Main in Boise. Since the College of Western Idaho has agreed to an appraisal of the 10 […]
Some Growths Can Be Cancer
Growth for the sake of growth spawns GROWTHOPHOBES. We growthophobes welcome anyone willing to pay their fair share of taxes and fair wages. In recent months the GUARDIAN and Mrs. GUARDIAN have been wracked with guilt and ridiculed by friends for our practice of taking “Sunday Drives,” to places like the Riverside Restaurant at Horseshoe […]
Legislature Offers Free Uber Rides To Council
Declaring it’s time to “think outside the box and operate a free market economy,” Idaho Legislators voted Wednesday to offer free Uber Car rides to Boise City Councilors. The catch was the rides were good only to Ada County Highway District meetings. Councilors were expected to discuss the impending closure of Jefferson Street with the […]
Court Denies GBAD Plan…Again
For the second time in seven months a Fourth District Judge has denied the Greater Boise Auditorium District permission to go around the voters to finance expansion. The action was brought by GUARDIAN editor David R. Frazier. Article VIII, Sec. 3 of the Idaho Constitution requires local governments to seek permission of voters to go […]
GUARDIAN Reservations About New Hotels
Boise’s Auditorium District is awaiting a judicial ruling about financing a new ballroom and other convention facilities–all without voter approval. The case was heard last week in Fourth District Court. Meanwhile at least two new hoteliers have announced plans to build major facilities along Capitol Blvd. based on anticipated approval of the GBAD financing. The […]
Some Needed New Year’s Resolutions
Here are some New Year’s resolutions we think are needed for 2015. Feel free to add your own. –Legislature should pass a law to ban discrimination toward ALL groups, race, gender, religion, age, etc. –Gov. Butch Otter stop spending our tax dollars to fight gay marriage. If you want to defend the Idaho Constitution, join […]
GBAD Seeks Second Chance To Deny Public Vote
The Greater Boise Auditorium District has spent tens of thousands of dollars in a quest to deny citizens their constitutional right to approve long term debt for a new ballroom and kitchen. That quest continues with the filing of a new petition in 4th District Court. GBAD was ordered by 4th District Judge Melissa Moody […]
After $600,000 Study, Street Car Still Flunks
Like the perpetual college student, Boise’s attempt at a transport system for Downtown is long on study and short on finding a job. The so-called “Circulator” (also dubbed “Desire Named Street Car and Trolley Folly”) has been the dream of Mayor Dave Bieter and his “Team Dave” for a decade while it serves as a […]
New Hawks Owners Try For Double Play
Its the same old story. New Owners come to town, love the place, love the fans, love the weather, love baseball, and love to have the community build them a new stadium. Such is the case with the new owners of the Boise Hawks Baseball team. No longer with the Chicago Cubs, the Hawks will […]
Guardian Editor Files Against GBAD
Government watchdog David R. Frazier has filed legal documents in 4th District Court against the Greater Boise Auditorium District, claiming the District is attempting to go around voters with a financing scheme which violates the Idaho Constitution. In a response to the GBAD “Petition For Judicial Confirmation,” Frazier alleges the district is seeking to go […]
Ada Commishes To Payoff Bonds They Never Owed
Former Ada County Commishes created an end-run around voters some 23 years ago when they convinced an out of county judge that “annual lease payments” to the Capital City Development Corp. (CCDC) were not long term debt. The current Ada County Commishes see it differently. They are proudly planning to payoff the “Ada County Courthouse […]
Gardner Courts BSU For Tax-Exempt Space
UPDATE 6/19/14 STATE BOARD OKed THE DEAL OUTLINED BELOW. Meeting in Idaho Falls, members of the State Board of Education approved the proposal. Looks like the Gardner Company has found a pot of gold in the form of government funding for downtown Boise projects. Latest move to get public funding for a pair of proposed […]
Give Away $.5Mill To Developer, But Pay Your Parking Tickets
Boise is ripe to be #1 on the “EASY PICKING” list compiled by developers. The BOISE WEEKLY’S George Prentice reports city officials have cut a deal to defer $500,000 in fees owed by Gardner Development, the outfit which has been anointed to build the latest version of the “Transit Center” which is planned beneath one […]
Social Engineering Or Prudent Planning?
The DAILY PAPER had a good story by reporter Sven Berg Sunday detailing plans by Boise officials to offer “developer welfare” for downtown apartments catering to young professionals. We see it as social engineering. Efforts to increase population density — not to mention traffic and urban crowding — have not been particularly successful due to […]
CCDC, Others Adopt GUARDIAN Sign Idea
After nearly a decade of ignoring the need for “way finding” signs in Boise, the major stakeholders in downtown Boise have adopted the GUARDIAN idea of being tourist-friendly. CCDC and the Downtown Boise Association are gathering ideas on the development of a wayfinding system for Downtown Boise. The meetings are set for Tuesday, June 10 […]
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