17 community members will consider options for Expo Idaho land. Here are their priorities
The group tasked with recommending the future of Expo Idaho met Wednesday night to discuss what they want to see happen with the 240 acres of Ada County land.
The Expo Idaho Citizens’ Advisory Committee, comprised of 17 members from around Ada County, has not yet started sharing solutions, but members of the committee spoke to each other, gathered community members and Ada County Commissioner Rick Visser about what they hoped to focus on.
The committee was formed after Ada County commissioners voted in November to form an advisory group to study the potential best uses for the land. Its purpose is to make nonbinding recommendations to the commissioners.
The land houses the fairgrounds, which hosts the Western Idaho Fair each August, and also Les Bois Park (the former home of Idaho’s largest horse racing venue), Memorial Stadium (where the Boise Hawks play) and space along the Greenbelt.
Since voters in 2018 rejected an initiative to allow “historical horse racing,” machines that allow people to gamble on recordings of horse races, Ada County will tear down the horse stalls and clean up the blighted areas on the land. It also will repave parts of it and make it so that people can better use it as a community space.
What to do with Expo Idaho
The goal for those on the committee is to figure out what to do with the remaining land. The greatest desire many shared? A want to use the space to create a solution that would benefit a variety of people.
Several people shared ideas on how to best work with government agencies and entities to make sure the land is used to its full potential. One person wanted to make sure people on the committee spoke to the Idaho Transportation Department about how the land’s position at the intersection of Chinden Boulevard and Glenwood Street affected potential ideas; another wanted to make sure officials from Boise, Garden City and Ada County are consulted before final recommendations are made.
Others in the group wanted to make sure that any decisions took into consideration the natural resources on the property. The Expo Idaho lands border the Boise River Greenbelt, meaning fish, birds and other wildlife are abundant in the area. Protecting animals, soil and water and reducing potential hazards came up multiple times.
Some people wanted to protect the fact that the land houses the Western Idaho Fair, in part by studying why the fair is so successful compared to others in the Northwest. People also wanted to look at case studies from other cities on how the other land may be used successfully, including a look at the financials of the property now.
Those on the committee spoke little of potential development on the land. Because of its prime location, the land could be valuable for developers wanting to put up housing or private businesses. The stadium, a new one of which developers were once seeking to build in West Boise but have since pulled back on, only came up once, when one committee member asked to consult experts on how the stadium might be used not only for baseball but for other sports and events.
Committee members also shared ideas on potential “key informants,” or specific stakeholders who may be able to offer expert advice on the property. They are expected to begin more specific work on the project at their next meeting, scheduled for March 18. Meetings are open to members of the public, who were encouraged to talk with committee members and share ideas after the formal session adjourned.
Expo Idaho Citizens’ Advisory Committee members
There are 17 total people on the committee as well as a mediator meant to help the group meet its goals. Commissioner Kendra Kenyon said in November that committee members would be selected based on areas of expertise as well as geographic location. Those on the committee are:
- L. Sheldon Barker (representing engineering and floodplain experts)
- Clay Carley (representing developers)
- Allen Taggart (representing agriculture and 4H)
- Marie Kellner (representing the Idaho Conservation League)
- Matthew Wilde (representing Boise State University)
- Matthew Wordell (representing arts and culture)
- Andrea Fogleman (representing Garden City)
- Mark Lavin (representing Boise)
- Brad Hoaglun (representing Meridian)
- Kelsey Holder (representing Kuna)
- Jennifer Salmonsen (representing Star)
- Nichoel Baird Spencer (representing Eagle)
- Saydee Henning (representing youth)
- Ian Malepeai (representing outdoor recreation)
- Bill Connors (representing the Boise Metro Chamber)
- Kent Rock (representing the financial sector)
- Ed Lodge (representing the Western Idaho Fair)
This story was originally published February 26, 2020 at 9:11 PM.
.jpg)