Growth
Everything Old Is New Again
Today the Boise Parks Dept. announced a move to “increase traffic flow” within Ann Morrison Park by allowing two-way traffic. That means cars can come and go at either the Capital Blvd. or Americana entrances. Previously there was one-way traffic. The GUARDIAN can remember when the park was a “cut through” and those damn kids […]
Transit Center Design Flaw Prompts Bus Modifications
The GUARDIAN has confirmed that a ValleyRide bus scraped the road surface at the new underground transit center during a test run due to a construction design flaw. Sources tell us the ramp leading up to Main is so steep that buses cannot crest the top without scraping the undercarriage. To be clear, we have […]
GUARDIAN Bus Would Run Every 13 Sec. For Cost Of Trolley
In the quest to make downtown Boise the most “unfriendly car city” in America, Boise’s Team Dave has come up with, would you believe yet another…TROLLEY CIRCULATOR plan. The Boise WEEKLY’s George Prentice offers a look which prompted the GUARDIAN to turn to the calculator for perspective. Using the City’s figures, reported by Prentice, we […]
Internal Audit Of Ada Treasurer Is Critical
An internal audit of the Ada County Treasurer’s office concentrating on the “Public Administrator” duties has turned up assorted critical issues. The issues all revolve around the estates of people who have died with no will and no living relatives. A former Public Administrator and a state building security chief have been charged with assorted […]
PUC Suggests Boise Cut Water Fee
BY GUARDIAN READER JJ In an under-reported action by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on October 7th 2015, the PUC will allow responsibility for maintenance and replacement of Boise fire hydrants to shift from the City to United Water. In their ruling the PUC expressed concern that the shift could result in higher water rates […]
Wells Fargo: GBAD Deal Too Risky
After countless hours and thousands of dollars spent on legal advice, the Greater Boise Auditorium District learned their bank was no longer interested in making a loan. Wells Fargo Bank backed out of an agreement last month to fund a $24 million construction project that centered around a new ballroom in a building being constructed […]
Boise Ponders 50% Parking Fee Hike
In a move that is sure to win the praises of bicyclists, but not downtown businesses, Boise officials are continuing their policy of “getting people out of their cars.” This time it’s a parking meter fee hike. The DAILY PAPER parrots Boise City’s term of “demand-based metered parking” which is another way of saying downtown […]
Valley Ride Missed The Bus Despite Growth
Our transportation consultant has provided some insight into the operation and success–or lack thereof–at Valley Ride, the regional bus system. By Jimmy D. Bus GUARDIAN Consultant With planners screaming for “increased density” and repeating the mantra “we have to get people out of their cars,” I harken back to the days when Boise’s BUS system […]
Valley Has $150,000,000 Annual Shortfall
We heard an ad on the radio recently from the Community Planning Association, COMPASS, which claimed Treasure Valley comes up short $150 million each year when it comes to transportation funding. The private agency which is funded by assorted taxpayer funded local governments explains details HERE. They say the big issue is growth and predict […]
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 […]
2,000 Homes To Hear “Sound Of Freedom”
The Idaho Statesman’s Sven Berg posted a STORY Wednesday detailing plans for 2,000 new homes in an area which seems within earshot of city councilor Elain Clegg’s $60,000,000 third runway for military fighter jets. Clegg has been an advocate of a new runway “south of the airport” to accommodate the F-35 combat fighter jet which […]
Writer Claims Airport Study “Manipulated”
The following story is by a longtime well known opponent of the Boise Airport plans to locate the F-35 combat fighter in the most densely populated city in Idaho. Other GUARDIAN readers attending the Wednesday meeting claim comments were 30 to 1 against the F-35 plan. By MONTY MERICLE The 2015 Boise Airport Noise Study, […]
State Rep Asks Airport to Reject Noise Study
While he doesn’t seem to endorse the common sense solution of not basing noisy F-15 and F-35 combat fighters at Boise’s Gowen Field, Idaho State Rep. John Gannon of district 17A has asked the Boise airport director to reject a noise study which potentially could cost nearly $100 million if implemented. Gannon was critical of […]
Foothills Space To Be Filled
Dorey writes of the Tuesday approval by Boise City Council to override the Planning Commission and approve a 70 home development in the foothills, less than a month after the levy election to provide “open space” was approved by voters. GUEST OPINION By Michale Dorey Our “at large” City Council” in Boise made an incredible […]
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, […]
Idaho To Get Additional Area Code–986
After 68 years—that’s correct 68 years–with a single 208 area code, Idaho will have an additional telephone area code of 986. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission decided Monday to assign the new number to all NEW phone services…that way existing numbers will not change, regardless of location. The hitch is we will all have to […]
ACHD Paint Stripes Confusion
By DAVE FRAZIER, editor The following is a true story and NOT a condemnation of bike lanes or bicyclists. I hope it is not an example of an old-timer who can’t handle change. UPDATE 10/30/15 I passed by both locations and noticed candlesticks blocking the Main St. entrance to the bike lane (keeps cars like […]
Vista Neighbors Oppose Jet Noise In Survey
The Vista Neighborhood Association released a survey about airport noise and to the surprise of few, folks don’t want F-35 and F-15 noisy jet fighters. Some of the results: –Fifty-five percent of respondents say they were negatively impacted by the F-15 jets which were at Gowen during the summer while the runway at Mountain Home was […]
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 […]
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