Local

6 stories about change happening in the Boise area

Stories by Idaho Statesman journalists, with AI summarization

Major developments are reshaping Boise’s landscape, addressing infrastructure challenges, urban growth, and environmental goals. Construction of taller high-rises downtown, like a proposed 40-story tower, highlights a shift in urban density and a focus on mixed-use developments integrating housing with retail. In residential areas, ongoing issues with structural defects and unstable construction in foothill developments expose risks tied to rapid housing demand.

Efforts to expand public green spaces, such as new park proposals targeting underserved neighborhoods, reflect initiatives to enhance community access and livability. Meanwhile, advancements in renewable energy, like the Boise Airport’s shift to 100% solar power, demonstrate the city’s commitment to sustainable practices amid growing environmental awareness.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The upper-level terminal drop-off zone at the city-owned Boise Airport in 2015.

NO. 1: BOISE AIRPORT IS NOW FULLY ON CLEAN ENERGY. HOW CITY AND IDAHO POWER CUT RELIANCE ON COAL

Boise moves forward on climate policies as the Idaho Legislature pushes back against environmental and climate programs. | Published November 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Clark Corbin

School officials and neighbors have voiced concern over dust that will be generated as two buildings are planned for demolition across Linden Street from White Pine Elementary and Timberline High School in East Boise. By Darin Oswald

NO. 2: DEMOLITION DUST: HOW THE GROWTH OF BOISE COULD BE PUTTING RESIDENTS AT RISK

Little oversight, enforcement and monitoring of home demolitions in Idaho with asbestos could threaten community health | Published January 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

Judy Myers talks about structural damage to her home and others in her neighborhood in the Boise Foothills. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 3: NEW HOMES IN THE BOISE FOOTHILLS ARE CRACKING, FALLING APART. HOW’D WE GET HERE, AGAIN?

Development of Boise’s Eyrie Canyon continues despite concerns over soil, irrigation and slumping homes. | Published February 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

More than 8,000 Idaho Power customers had their power shut off July 24, 2024. Idaho Power said that was done to prevent wildfires. By Chadd Cripe

NO. 4: THUNDER-LIKE BOOMS RATTLED SOUTHEAST BOISE THIS WEEK. HERE’S WHERE THE BLASTS CAME FROM

The blasts left dozens of nearby residents wondering, “What was that?” | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Angela Palermo

Boise Parks and Recreation Department is proposing the purchase of a 0.66-acre piece of land off of North Fry Street in the West Bench to develop a future park that would give 4,034 residents from 1,950 households access to a neighborhood park within a 10-minute walk. By City of Boise

NO. 5: THIS BOISE BENCH NEIGHBORHOOD COULD BE GETTING ANOTHER PARK. HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

The small space would give 4,034 residents from 1,950 households access to a neighborhood park within a 10-minute walk. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Brizee

Downtown Boise has witnessed a recent boom in hotel development, many of them west of the historic downtown area. June 26, 2024. By Darin Oswald

NO. 6: ARE YOU READY FOR A NEW SKYLINE, BOISE? A NEARLY 40-STORY TOWER COULD BE COMING DOWNTOWN

Apartments, retail and businesses would fill the tower on Front Street from Seattle-based architecture firm GGLO. | Published March 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.