Boise Smart City Initiative



The American economy continues its shift away from resource production and manufacturing to information technology, and this change is nowhere more dramatic than in Idaho. In spite of traditions and lingering perceptions, the technology sector now contributes more to the state's gross economic product than agriculture, timber and mining combined. The new economy is focused on innovation in high tech and other industries, and its resource base is people: mobile, well-educated knowledge workers. Creating a place that is attractive to this new economy is a top priority in economic development efforts nationwide, and is the driving force behind the Boise Smart City Initiative. The Smart City project, originated by CCDC and the Boise mayor's office in 2000, is a citizen-led effort to identify what the people of the new economy are looking for in a place to live and work, and to create such a place in Boise.

The Smart City Initiative envisions downtown Boise becoming a vibrant urban environment — where there is a lively mixture of housing, workplaces, restaurants, retail, cultural and educational activities and social spaces...plus telecommunications and technological innovations. This vision is the result of a yearlong effort by 50 members of the community, which is summarized with recommendations for implementation in the Smart City Initiative Committee Report. CCDC is committed to helping accomplish the Smart City vision in downtown Boise. Agency efforts currently underway that support the Smart City Initiative include:

Downtown Housing Initiative

Every indicator points to a significant market for urban housing in downtown Boise-and that this housing is critical to keeping downtown vibrant and healthy. The crucial nature of housing to downtown vitality was one of the top observations of the Boise Smart City Initiative. Residents support retail activity at a rate 20 times higher than workers, strengthening existing businesses and making a wider range of restaurants and shopping possible. Having people present in downtown both during the day and at night adds to its vitality and safety. With housing, downtown becomes a neighborhood as well as a business district.

In response, CCDC has made the addition of downtown housing choices its highest priority and developed the Urban Housing Initiative to accomplish this. What has happened so far?

Downtown Housing Forum...

The Downtown Housing Forum convened on April 29, 2003. Participants included landowners, developers, bankers, real estate brokers, designers and local government officials. We learned about factors at work in other cities experiencing a downtown housing boom and how Boise compares. Research shows strong evidence that significant potential for housing development exists in downtown Boise:
  • 43,000 people work downtown every day
  • Only 2,000 dwelling units exist in downtown
  • 63% of Boise's population is 1-2 person households
  • Downtown Boise has a rich mix of amenities — restaurants, shopping, night life, historic buildings, parks and public spaces, people activity
And what was the conclusion? There is most likely a sizeable market in Boise for downtown housing that has not yet been tapped-a significant opportunity waiting to be discovered.

Downtown Living Survey

By year end, CCDC expects to have a market research firm on board to conduct a survey of Treasure Valley residents and downtown workers to measure the level of interest in living in Boise's downtown. This survey will identify the types of households seeking to move downtown, the housing options that appeal to them and types of amenities they see as important to their decision to live in downtown. CCDC sees collecting local data as essential to an accurate projection of the market demand for downtown housing and to guide efforts to meet this demand.

Boise Downtown Housing Analysis (Market Study)

Just how much market might there be for urban housing in downtown Boise? To answer this question, CCDC commissioned a housing market analysis to take an in-depth look at Boise's potential. Prepared by Leland Consulting, this analysis examines housing activity in Portland, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City and Memphis Tenn., and identifies the factors that are driving these markets and contributing to the red-hot success of housing projects in these cities. It also reaches a positive conclusion that currently downtown Boise has an unmet market demand for 145 to 229 ownership units and 282 to 413 rental units.

One of the roadblocks facing developers wanting to build in downtown is the small number of existing housing projects there. Lenders look for comparable projects — especially successful projects — in an area when deciding if they will provide financing. CCDC hopes the housing analysis will help developers bolster their case when seeking financing. Copies of the Downtown Housing Market Analysis are available for download or by calling CCDC at 208-384-4264.

Downtown Housing Design Workshop

Interest in building downtown housing projects is running high, with several projects in the design stages. Clustering housing projects into neighborhoods rather than building them in isolation is one of the ingredients of success learned from other cities. To encourage this approach, CCDC sponsored a design workshop for developers interested in building housing projects in the next year. This workshop focused on identifying the "pulse points" where housing could be concentrated, place-making tools that could be used to transform multiple projects into a cohesive community and the barriers to development and methods for overcoming them. The workshop team included developers, architects and urban designers, real estate analysts and brokers and CCDC board members and staff.

The team saw Eighth and Fulton streets and Grove Street in Old Boise as having the most immediate potential for housing development. Using a case study approach, the team then engaged in an intensive design study of the six blocks surrounded by Ninth and Myrtle streets, Capitol Boulevard and the Boise River. The study answered questions on how to design complimentary housing projects at this pulse point, incorporate structured parking, and improve the streets to create a distinctive and attractive place. The Downtown Housing Workshop Report is available for download or by calling CCDC at 208-384-4264.

More on Housing

HousingIdaho.com

Downtown Mobility Study

Downtown Boise is expected to grow dramatically over the next 20-25 years — with the addition of more urban housing, shops, restaurants, offices, hotels and entertainment uses. Existing parking lots and vacant land may very well transform into a variety of development projects. The Downtown Mobility Study focuses on how to design a transportation system that will prevent downtown from choking on traffic as it changes over time. Six agencies — Valley Ride, Boise City, CCDC, Ada County Highway District, Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, and Boise State University — have secured both federal and local funding to undertake a comprehensive analysis of existing and future transportation needs in downtown Boise. A consultant team, headed by ARUP, an international transportation planning firm, is assisting with this 18-month effort, which is expected to conclude in 2004.

Key outcomes include:
  • Developing a concept plan for land use and transportation in downtown Boise in 2030
  • Creating a traffic model for downtown streets that simulates how traffic patterns will change as downtown develops
  • Examining methods for providing a circulator system to link the various downtown districts, so people can live, work and shop without needing to use their own vehicles
  • Identifying locations multimodal stations in downtown and at BSU
  • Planning for linkages between downtown and the region as the transit system expands
  • Creating a system of pedestrian and bicycle routes through downtown
  • Identifying enhancements to the Connector and other downtown streets to make them work for people as well as vehicles
  • Recommending a schedule of transportation improvements and methods of financing them Civic leaders, business people, neighborhood groups, urban designers, and agency staff are actively participating in this effort.
Civic leaders, business people, neighborhood groups, urban designers, and agency staff are actively participating in this effort. The strong interest in this study illustrates a commitment by the community to think smart about transportation and growth.

Pioneer Corridor

Pioneer Corridor, the development vision for the Lower West Side of the River/Myrtle district, continues to be refined. The competition-winning design champions the creation of a strong linkage between the downtown core and the Boise River using a promenade suitable for pedestrians and bicyclists. This promenade would also serve as an anchor for a mix of office, residential and retail development and the focal point of a unique urban neighborhood. The winning team led by Walker-Macy, Inc., of Portland, reassembled in Boise and met with CCDC staff during the year to identify next steps in refining the corridor design and marketing it to landowners and developers in the district. Due to the nature of the competition, the Walker-Macy team arrived at their winning entry without the benefit of the usual key component in the design process — a close working relationship with landowners and other stakeholders. To change that, this year the team met with a number of key public and private landowners, utility providers and other interested parties, with more to follow. At the same time, the team continues to serve in its on-call capacity to advise the agency on design-related issues in the corridor neighborhood that arise during the year. The Pioneer Corridor Competition Brochure is available for download or by calling CCDC at 208-384-4264.

Downtown Boise Model

The Downtown Boise Model is a computer-based 3D representation of downtown Boise. The model is a useful tool for planning, development, design and marketing. It takes the place of a physical architectural model, adding advantages in visualization and portability. It incorporates geographic information systems (GIS) layers, aerial photography, 3D buildings and building facade photography. The model is a tool with a wide range of public and private uses. An introductory CD containing video programs and high-resolution printable images is available free of charge. Contact us for more information about the CD or using the model.

Geothermal

The Boise Smart City Initiative identified the city's geothermal heating network as a potential resource that sets downtown Boise apart from other locations. Idaho Department of Water Resources, however, has a moratorium in place on expanding its use of geothermal. To gain a clearer understanding of the current status of the geothermal system and its potential, CCDC retained the services of GeoEngineers to prepare a report with baseline data. As expected, the issues are varied and complex, but the report has identified opportunities for a potential role for CCDC in expanding the use of geothermal energy. for more information, download the geothermal report.

Brownfields

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines brownfields as "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant." To remedy the situation, the EPA created a competitive grant program that provides funding to eligible entities for assessing and cleaning up properties that would otherwise remain idle. Since its inception in 1995, the federal brownfield program has provided financial and technical tools to support economic redevelopment by eliminating the risks associated with real or perceived contamination.

CCDC began working with EPA and Idaho Department of Environmental Quality staff to find ways the federal brownfields program can be used in downtown Boise redevelopment. As a result of this effort, CCDC received a grant award from EPA to fund educational outreach, inventory, and conduct environmental assessments on properties potentially affected by petroleum-related contamination located within CCDC districts. That grant runs for two years starting in October 2004. Uncontaminated properties receive a clean bill of health; those with identified contamination can have a specific cleanup program established. Either way, the barriers to infill development will be removed, supporting CCDC objectives. CCDC is applying for further funding from the EPA program in FY2006.

For more, go to the CCDC Brownfield Program page.