Baseball stadium near Boise State possible, Bieter says (Update: see the plans)
A downtown Boise stadium, specifically for baseball, could be built near Boise State University, Mayor Dave Bieter said at an interview with a Statesman readers’ panel Monday.
The incumbent, seeking his fourth term, said it could be built at the corner of South Broadway Avenue and West University Drive, across from Albertson’s Stadium. Such a project would dovetail with Boise State’s plan to bring back varsity baseball, perhaps by 2017.
The second option remains a soccer stadium, which is viewed as a more versatile facility for other uses. No potential site has been identified, Bieter said.
In her interview, challenger Judy Peavey-Derr said a soccer stadium or aquatic center would be a better option and that baseball stadiums are “black holes” when it comes to funding and financing.
Candidate Seth Holden said a downtown stadium “probably wouldn’t work” due to traffic and other land-use concerns.
The Statesman videotaped and tweeted the interviews live. A storified transcript with other comments, video excerpts and a story on Peavey-Derr’s can be seen at IdahoStatesman.com.
#BoiseMayor @MayorBieter re Downtown stadium? 2 possibilities. No.1: baseball only at BSU off Bway/Uni. No. 2: Soccer, No location id'd..
— Idaho Statesman (@IdahoStatesman) October 12, 2015
#BoiseMayor @judypeaveyderr4 downtown stadium? "May be better options." soccer field or aquatic center. Baseball stadiums are "black holes."
— Idaho Statesman (@IdahoStatesman) October 12, 2015
#BoiseMayor @Holden_Boise15 Stadium "probably wouldn't work downtown." Where? Not sure.
— Idaho Statesman (@IdahoStatesman) October 12, 2015
This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 10:36 AM with the headline "Baseball stadium near Boise State possible, Bieter says (Update: see the plans)."