5 updates on development projects in the Boise area

Development in the Boise area highlights ongoing debates about urban growth, infrastructure, and community needs. Plans for a nearly 40-story tower downtown signal a shift toward a denser skyline, while upgrades to Albertsons Stadium aim to enhance the sports and entertainment experience for residents and visitors. Meanwhile, major housing projects, including the 3,500-home Murio Farms development, reflect efforts to address the region's housing shortage despite concerns over cost, traffic, and public services.

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.

Boise City Council chose May 7, 2024, to table the annexation of the 381-acre Murio Farms planned community and have city staff work with the developers to update the plan. This southwest facing image shows the Murio Farms land at left and the New York Canal at right.

NO. 1: ACHD WARNS OF TRAFFIC JAMS. ANALYSTS SAY CITY WILL LOSE MONEY. BOISE OKS 3,500 HOMES ANYWAY

After over three years, the Boise City Council approved one of the city’s biggest housing developments ever near the Boise Airport, despite concerns from city staff. | Published November 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

An aerial view of what the new north end zone at Albertsons Stadium will look like, connecting the stadium concourse on both sides.

NO. 2: PLAYER AND FAN INTERACTION, 360-DEGREE CONCOURSE: HERE’S LATEST ON BOISE STATE STADIUM

“We took our guiding principles, the things we loved, sprinkled in a few of the items that make Idaho amazing, put in some Bronco stuff, and put it in a blender.” | Published January 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shaun Goodwin

Boise City Council rejected an appeal of this 4- and 5-story, nearly 200-unit apartment building from Boise’s Hawkins Cos. at 1095 S. Federal Way on the edge of the Boise Bench. Neighbors argued that the building was too tall, was too dense, would negatively impact them, would add traffic hazards and that it didn’t fit into the neighborhood. This rendering shows the building from the southwest corner of Kootenai and Pico streets.

NO. 3: BOISEANS OPPOSED THIS 200-APARTMENT BUILDING. THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED IT ANYWAY. WHY?

Neighbors argued the building was too tall, was too dense and didn’t fit the character of the neighborhood. It could start going up near Boise State University soon. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

The River Club golf course has proposed leasing an island from the Idaho Department of Lands, east of Glenwood Bridge and adjacent to fairways on the north bank in the Boise River. The plans are to install three golf holes there and construct bridges for access from its main property according to a planning document. By Darin Oswald

NO. 4: DEVELOPERS COULD SLICE OFF CHUNK OF IDAHO’S 2ND-OLDEST GOLF COURSE FOR HOMES. WHAT’S NEXT?

The Meridian- and Texas-based developers could add hundreds of homes along the ever-busy State Street | Published March 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

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. 5: 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.