New apartments denied. A new Albertsons postponed. What’s coming (or not) near you
The latest proposed developments, other construction projects and new businesses around the Treasure Valley:
Boise
Idaho Camera, the iconic, family-owned retailer for three-fourths of a century, is coming to an end. The owners plans to close their last store, at 1310 N. Orchard St., Boise, on Thursday, Sept. 10.
The Statesman wrote about the pending closure in July.
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The Boise City Council has voted to deny The Biltmore Co.’s request to build 84 apartments at 3635 W. Elder St.
Biltmore was appealing a decision from Boise’s Planning and Zoning Commission to reject the apartments, which would have been located near Interstate 84.
The proposed site is near the Boise Airport. The level of noise on the property makes it incompatible with housing and would violate Federal Aviation Administration grant assurance, potentially putting future federal airport funding at risk, a letter from the commission says.
“If I could pick this property up and put it somewhere else in Boise, I would do it in a heartbeat,” Council Member T.J. Thomson told the developer at a council meeting Tuesday, Sept. 1. “It’s an outstanding project ... with the exception of where it is located.”
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Eighth Street, between Main and Bannock streets, is completely closed to vehicle traffic to allow for the “Boise on the Block” initiative, part of the city’s plan to expand outdoor dining while allowing for social distancing.
That’s a change from the city’s original plan, which allowed cars through from 6 to 10 a.m. on weekdays for deliveries and after restaurants closed for the night.
Now, deliveries are being rerouted to Idaho Street between Capitol Boulevard and 9th Street on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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Hatch Design Architecture is seeking to build an 11,400-square-foot storage business at 7373 Federal Way. The units would be spread among 11 buildings.
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The Boise Airport seeks to build a parking lot and install a 90-square-foot bus shelter. The lot, at 2900 S. Curtis Road, would have 248 spaces, seven of which would be handicapped-accessible.
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Illinois-based Spirit Halloween has applied to take over space temporarily at Boise Towne Square mall previously occupied by Sears. The space is 150,000 square feet, according to the application.
The store is planned to open Tuesday, Sept. 8, according to the store’s website. Another Spirit Halloweeen store, at 2655 S. Broadway Ave. in the former Shopko space, is scheduled to open Thursday, Sept. 3.
Spirit is one of several “pop-up” Halloween stores nationwide known for taking over storefronts in the months leading up to the Oct. 31 holiday.
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Meridian
A new Albertsons supermarket planned for the northwest corner of South Eagle and East Amity roads in south Meridian may be arriving later than expected.
The boise grocery chain requested an 18-month time extension to build Firenze Plaza, a development with 11 commercial building lots, including the Albertsons store. The City Council first approved the project in January 2017.
In requesting the extension, the company cited “an overall labor shortage, both in the construction industry and in employees for the new store.” The company also noted that it needed more time to coordinate development plans with the Ada County Highway District.
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Gem Prep applied for a building permit to start construction on its new charter school at 5390 McDermott Road. The project is valued at $7.1 million and will include 42,715 square feet. According to its website, Gem Prep plans to open the school in fall 2021.
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Scott A. Tschirgi of Southridge Farm LLC in Boise applied to start construction on the clubhouse of the Southridge Apartments at 1691 Grand Fork Way, south of Interstate 84 and west of South Linder Road. The 6,875-square-foot building is expected to cost $650,000, according to a permit filed with the city.
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Hughes Fire Equipment, which sells new and used fire trucks, is building a 15,339-square-foot fire truck certification building at 3396 Nelis Drive, near the northwest corner of West Ustick and North Ten Mile roads.
The building is estimated to cost $2.1 million, according to a building permit filed with the city.
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Star
Bryan Pecht of ParkCrest Homes in Star applied to rezone 20 acres at the southeast corner of New Hope and Can Ada roads for a subdivision with 23 residential lots and a commercial lot. The residential lots will range from 10,262 square feet in size to 17,349 square feet.
The subdivision would be called Craftsman Estates North.
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Kuna
Mason and Associates Inc. requested to rezone 17 acres at the southwest corner of Linder and Hubbard Roads from agricultural to commercial. The subdivision, called Monarch Landing, would include a 5-acre self-storage business.
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Notable
The Ninth U.S. Court of Appeals has appointed Boise bankruptcy lawyer Noah G. Hillen, 38, to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho for a 14-year term beginning Aug. 31.
Hillen joins Chief Bankruptcy Judge Joseph Meier on the two-judge court in Boise. Hillen succeeds Judge Terry L. Myers, who retired July 31.
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The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce announced its Small Businesses of the Year and Chamber Excellence Awards. The winners are:
- Small Business of the Year (small-size): City Peanut Shop
- Small Business of the Year (medium-size): Idaho Tents & Events
- Nonprofit Excellence: NeighborWorks Boise
- Financial Services Industry Excellence: Bank of Idaho
Food & Agriculture Industry Excellence: Reed’s Dairy
Travel Industry Excellence: Jackson Jet Center
Healthcare Industry Excellence: Healthwise Inc
Government Advocate of the Year: Hawley Troxell
Ray Stark, former vice president of the chamber, was awarded the Hall of Fame Award for his “everlasting contributions to the betterment of the chamber and support for its mission to advocate for a vibrant economy and outstanding quality of life,” according to a news release.
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