Urban Renewal
She’s Baaaack!
Forget about the legislature. Forget about Obama’s State of the union. Forget about ISIS. We got SHARON ULLMAN. The GUARDIAN has sifted through the Ada County records and learned Ullman, former bombastic Ada commish of Dynamis fame, overpriced canned soft drinks, and endless topic for news stories has filed an “Appointment and Certification of Political […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
GBAD Seeks To Use Room Tax To Build Competition For Hoteliers
In an exclusive deal with downtown developer Gardner Company, the Greater Boise Auditorium District has entered into an agreement that would use public land purchased with room tax revenues to build a 200-300 room “nationally flagged” hotel. Terms became public Thursday when the GBAD board voted 3-1 to appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court their […]
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 […]
Growthophobes Beware Of “Increased Density”
GUARDIAN GROWTHOPHOBE REPORT Boise’s city fathers and mothers are just a bit too enamored with the current planning mantra of “increased density,” and other “progressive” attitudes that are “outside the box.” In their rush to be “user-friendly” to developers, create demand for public transit, and jump aboard any band wagon with the promise of “jobs […]
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 […]
Should Boise CCDC Members Live In Boise?
We posted a brief notice last week about Boise City Councilor David Eberele moving from the North End to new digs in Garden City. He confirmed the move in a front page story a few days later in the DAILY PAPER, saying he planned to remain on Boise’s urban renewal board–CCDC (Capital City Development Corp.). […]
Eberle To Leave Boise Council Post?
Word on the street has it that Boise City Councilor Dave Eberle is seeking refuge in Garden City. We have it from several sources that Eberle is building a home in Garden City and his north end digs are up for sale. This will leave yet another seat up for appointment by Team Dave’s Mayor […]
GBAD Petition Denied, Voters Must Approve Debt
Fourth District Judge Melissa Moody has denied a petition filed by the Greater Boise Auditorium District to build a $22 million ballroom and kitchen without a vote of citizens. Boise GUARDIAN editor David R. Frazier filed a response to the GBAD petition through his legal counsel, John Runft. Runft argued successfully that GBAD was attempting […]
ACHD Joins Boise In Gardner Fee Defferal
One thing Boise and Ada County Highway District officials seem to be able to agree upon is special treatment for the Gardner Development Company. Boise fees of about $500,000, and ACHD impact fees of between $1.2 million and $1.4 million are due before Gardner is allowed to occupy its a two-building, office/retail/parking/convention project, atop an […]
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 […]
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