Growth
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 […]
More Chatter On Airport Noise
The meeting of mostly irate homeowners last week over the Boise Airport Noise Survey has caused the city to offer another chance for residents to sound off. The GUARDIAN has followed the issue, both from a practical and political standpoint. It appears the Air Guard and City leaders are in favor of basing high performance […]
Airport Noise Issue Causes Citizen Turbulence
Neighbors from the Hillcrest Place Homeowners Association, Vista Neighborhood Association sounded off over a noise survey conducted by the Boise Airport, but with very little notification of homeowners. It looks like the 75 property owners who attended the meeting at Whitney Community Center Thursday night were roused to action by social media posts on the […]
How Do You Get Help At City Hall?
The following is a message we receive all too often from GUARDIAN readers who are at wit’s end when it comes to help from City Hall where the standard line is “You have to file a written complaint.” What ever happened to enforcing the law? DEAR GUARDIAN– Please direct me to someone I can talk […]
CWI Appraisal Tops Purchase Price
College of Western Idaho has the results of the property appraisal for the old Bob Rice Ford property near 30th and Fairview and to the surprise of no one, the appraisal came back just above the purchase price. Here is the press release from CWI. Ada County Campus – Due Diligence on Boise Property Update […]
The exciting Topic Of Taxes!
It’s about as interesting as watching paint dry, but somebody has to discuss taxes. Any way you cut it, local property tax bills are likely to go up this year in Ada County. First off, the ASSESSED VALUE of most property has increased. That figure is used as the basis by cities, the county, ACHD, […]
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. […]
“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 […]
City-Wide Conservation Areas Worth The Price
It is gratifying to see Mayor Dave Bieter and his “Team Dave” field a proposal based on a GUARDIAN suggestion. We join other conservation groups with our tentative support of his new plan for a two year “conservation” serial levy. Protecting open spaces throughout the city for wildlife and recreation is a worthy cause. We […]
Ada Property Values Up About 6%
Ada County tax assessment notices have hit mailboxes of property owners and there shouldn’t be too much sticker shock. The median increase was just under 6%–this means that half the values increased more than 6% and half less than 6% (or decreased). It also means there could be some really big increases or decreases. We […]
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 […]
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 […]
CWI Claims Exemption From Property Appraisal
When the College of Western Idaho announced plans to acquire land on West Main in Boise along the river owned by the family of former car dealer Bob Rice, we were a little concerned about the $8.8 million price tag. The Ada County Assessor is required to value land at “market value.” County records show […]
Getting Smarter Cheaper
It may not have blue turf, but CWI is moving to Boise along with about every other institution of higher learning. The school is growing faster than a seal pup and the trustees voted to buy the old Bob Rice Ford land along the Boise River at Main Street. The financing for construction will require […]
Bike Nazi Endorses Bieter Bikes
Guest Opinion by BIKEBOY GUARDIAN bike Nazi A bike share – just like in the Big City! – is on the horizon, here in li’l ol’ Boise! The honchos are predicting that by the end of April, 114 shareable bikes will be available at 15 stations, scattered around the city center, north end, and BSU […]
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