Boise evolves: major projects in housing and culture

Boise is evolving with transformative projects reshaping the city. Green Acres, the only food truck park in Boise, will soon expand at a new riverfront location near Payette Brewing, promising more space for dining and outdoor events. The iconic Simplot Hill is set to become Jack’s Park, a family-centered destination with new paths, ponds, play areas, and an interactive museum honoring J.R. Simplot’s legacy. Plans at Expo Idaho are advancing, as pro soccer teams have signed a 30-year lease for a new stadium that neighbors a proposed redevelopment for the Boise Hawks baseball stadium. These changes, along with shifts in housing and public spaces, mark a dynamic period in Boise’s development.

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 first approved White-Leasure Development Co.’s nearly 100-home subdivision The Reserve at Deer Valley in late-2015 and early-2016, but it was never built. City Council approved a modification in 2021 to drop the number of homes from 96 to 88 but it may never be built, according to Boise’s the Walsh Group. This aerial rendering looking south shows where homes would have been built off of Pierce Park Lane in the highlighted area.

NO. 1: PLAN FOR HOMES IN THE BOISE FOOTHILLS DISINTEGRATES AFTER NEARLY A DECADE. WHAT HAPPENED?

Subdivision was to highlight the natural environment of the Foothills with a boardwalk, pond system and wetlands. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

The structure at the corner of Idaho Avenue and 4th Street in Boise is taking shape as crews construct the ICCU Plaza, a planned 13-story, 126 dwelling unit building, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

NO. 2: DEVELOPER WON BOISE’S OK TO BUILD APARTMENTS, THEN CHANGED HIS MIND. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

Nearby neighbors opposed changes the Idaho developer sought without formal approval from the city. A public hearing is set for next week. | Published November 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Nick Rosenberger

Designated hitter and outfielder Yorvis Torrealba, from Venezuela, plays for the Boise Hawks in the footsteps of his father, who played for the Colorado Rockies.

NO. 3: EXPO IDAHO COULD GET A 2ND NEW STADIUM, FOR BASEBALL, AS AN OLD DEVELOPMENT IDEA REVIVES

Developers and officials from county, Garden City, talked plans to fund stadium. Ada gave the green light for staff to see what’s feasible. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sarah Cutler

Green Acres Food Truck Park is right off the Boise Greenbelt.

NO. 4: BOISE HAS ONLY ONE FOOD TRUCK PARK. NOW IT PLANS TO MOVE — TO A ‘BEAUTIFUL’ PLACE

It’s “really, really, really excited” about relocating. | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Deeds

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. 5: 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

A rendering shows the approved soccer stadium at Expo Idaho. The stadium would expand upon the existing grandstands from the former Les Boise horse-racing track.

NO. 6: BOISE-AREA PRO SOCCER TEAMS SIGN A 30-YEAR LEASE. HERE’S WHEN THEY’LL START PLAYING

Owners agreed to a $150,000-a-year deal to bring men’s and women’s soccer to the former horse-racing track at Expo Idaho. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Lycklama

The American flag returned to the top of Simplot hill on Tuesday January 19, 2016. By Kyle Green

NO. 7: BIG CHANGE AFOOT FOR BOISE’S SIMPLOT HILL, HOME OF SLEDDING, SUNSETS AND ICONIC FLAG

Descendants of the late J.R. Simplot have proposed a major makeover. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by David Staats

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.