Public Transportation System in the works for Boise (Pocatello, Soda Springs: sales, apartment)

[Syringaloid]

Good info yes, but I don't think the city is trying to build a light rail anytime soon. The article doesn't mention that at all. The transportation hub which will be built is more a step in the right direction because there are hopes the bus system will get better, and most cities the size of Boise already have a transport hub, so it is about time Boise has one, it will only draw more attention to better public transport. The circulator planned downtown is not a light rail but a trolley, big difference.
I don't see Boise having a light rail in the valley for maybe a decade, but I also don't buy the one million threshold. There are a few places with similar populations to Boise that are getting light rail. But as mentioned, Idaho needs to change some laws first.

[Anchorless]

It's no secret Bieter wants a light rail.

He just went down to SLC to do a study and observation on how their light rail is working, how it was implemented, etc.

But I agree it won't happen anytime soon. My point is that I think the city wants it to happen.

[boiseguy]

I think that the bus system needs to improve.. to show that light rail will work.. light rail projects are expensive and understandibly people are going to be reluctant to support something that is the optimum in public transport when they haven't even known what a successful basic bus service is like... Idaho is behind the times when it comes to public transportation.. but many of us from other larger metro area's know that if you build it they will use it... its a matter of convincing people and the only way to do so is to start somewhere and have a goal... I think a trolley system downtown atleast would be fantastic.. considering the potential for developement in outlying areas around the cbd... don't forget also the large amount of condo units coming online soon.. there is a big drive for downtown housing.. and when people don't just work downtwon but live downtown.. you're in a whole different ball-park... it takes foresight in these things.. and it has to be in step with the direction the city is going as a whole... right now it might seem over the top.. but how many highrises and condo's will be in and around downtown in 5-10 years? if you put some things off to wait for the demand.. sometimes you get behind and you end up playing catch-up for the next few decades. Every major city above 1 million that is getting light rail has said that they waited too long...
I think bieter is just heeding this advice and trying to work with it...
I live downtown and work downtown... so hopping on a trolley would be much better than biking in the rain and I know many others in my building who would agree....
just some thoughts

[Anchorless]

Great article with some fascinating thoughts on the transportation problem in Boise, trolleys and trains versus buses and vans, the folly of a downtown trolley loop, etc.

Boise Guardian: All Aboard! GUARDIAN Transit Line

Thoughts?

[boi2socal]

I can't say I really understand this trolley thing...at this point. The same thing could be done with buses. Downtown is growing in residence but not at a fast enough pace to warrant such a system. Several projects are delayed, in red tape, or cancelled.

The bus system needs to be overhauled and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Routes should be added. These buses either have fixed guideways or travel on streets with the ability to alter traffic lights to their benefit. I'm sure it would not go over well but I think the additional lane being added to I-84 should be an HOV lane. No sense in having a bus sit in traffic. Defeats the purpose.

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by boi2socal

I can't say I really understand this trolley thing...at this point. The same thing could be done with buses. Downtown is growing in residence but not at a fast enough pace to warrant such a system. Several projects are delayed, in red tape, or cancelled.

The bus system needs to be overhauled and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Routes should be added. These buses either have fixed guideways or travel on streets with the ability to alter traffic lights to their benefit. I'm sure it would not go over well but I think the additional lane being added to I-84 should be an HOV lane. No sense in having a bus sit in traffic. Defeats the purpose.

Downtown used to have a trolley system back in Boise's early days that wound through the North End and Warm Springs. I read up on history regarding the old trolley line and Boise was a leader among other western cities back in the day because of the train/trolley lines.
If Boise had one then, it can easily support a downtown trolley line now.
This is a case of if it is built it will be used. I live in Boise and work and live in the downtown area and people do talk about it and I am sure it would be a success. I remember skeptics thought BoDo would fail because who would want to come into a fresh, vibrant, urban, lovely downtown and hassle with parking and traffic to shop and eat with fellow urbanites??? Well Bodo has proved all of those people wrong and downtown is more healthy now than ever. The best shopping in the valley is easily in downtown and the best restaurants in the valley are in downtown. This kind of progress needs to start in the downtown core and not in a suburb like Meridian like some people would like. Even though some condo projects have had their better days, there are several that have been completed and more currently being constructed. Also remember that downtown blends in and is surrounded by a rather large population of more enviromentaly sensitive people who live in the North and East ends, and then BSU also adds to the support for a trolley. I support the trolley line, one such system was part of the city's history and this is a kind of city a new line would succeed and fit in with the urban landscape.

[boi2socal]

Well, if it goes in place I hope it is a success. Although I'm not really sure saying something that was successful in a time without cars is a good comparison. Southern California also had a very large network of rail and trollies. That doesn't mean it would work now.

I think urban development is great. I love Downtown Boise and it has seen success but most growth in the Metro will continue to be sprawl. Even with Boise's charming downtown most people are not going to leave their LA condo to live in a Boise condo. They want a house with a yard, etc. Also, Downtown condos are expensive. Many projects have per square foot costs similar to that of a new place in California. So I think that market eventually could dry up unless more high paying jobs come to Boise.

[Syringaloid]

Originally Posted by boi2socal

Well, if it goes in place I hope it is a success. Although I'm not really sure saying something that was successful in a time without cars is a good comparison. Southern California also had a very large network of rail and trollies. That doesn't mean it would work now.

I think urban development is great. I love Downtown Boise and it has seen success but most growth in the Metro will continue to be sprawl. Even with Boise's charming downtown most people are not going to leave their LA condo to live in a Boise condo. They want a house with a yard, etc. Also, Downtown condos are expensive. Many projects have per square foot costs similar to that of a new place in California. So I think that market eventually could dry up unless more high paying jobs come to Boise.

Good points, but some developers are already tackling the issue of condos that are too expensive for the average joe. There are a few new condo buildings nearing completion that are priced for the working class and to attract younger people to buy, and they have been a success. There are a few more supposedly starting construction this year, in the Library Blocks area and where the old Boise Mission used to be, that are supposed to be priced and geared for younger working people who cannot afford half million dollar and million dollar condos which seem to be plentiful in downtown.
The news downtown is that the 6 or so floors of apartments planned for the top of the capitol terrace garage on 8th between main and idaho is a go and that construction is starting soon. These apts. are geared and priced for younger people as well. I think what a lot of developers are finding out is that people who move here from larger cities do sometimes want to live in a condo downtown and don't always want a suburban home with a lawn to mow.
Everything isn't perfect though, there is always work to be done to improve.

[Anchorless]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

This is a case of if it is built it will be used. I live in Boise and work and live in the downtown area and people do talk about it and I am sure it would be a success. I remember skeptics thought BoDo would fail because who would want to come into a fresh, vibrant, urban, lovely downtown and hassle with parking and traffic to shop and eat with fellow urbanites??? Well Bodo has proved all of those people wrong and downtown is more healthy now than ever. The best shopping in the valley is easily in downtown and the best restaurants in the valley are in downtown. This kind of progress needs to start in the downtown core and not in a suburb like Meridian like some people would like.

The irony here is, I think, that downtown shopping wouldn't be what it is without the Mall/Milwaukee shopping areas of West Boise being what they are.

That area of town is a congested mess of traffic, parking lots, and shopping areas. The great thing is, though, it keeps most of that congestion away from the downtown core without affected its business a great deal.

I recall downtown shopping in other cities and it tends to be a nightmare. In San Jose, for instance, you spend a good 20 minutes to an hour just trying to find parking - it's hilarious to see the cars that follow shoppers as they go back to their cars.

I hope downtown parking never becomes what it is in San Jose, Seattle, etc.

And as much of a success as downtown Boise is (and it certainly is), my one concern is the infiltration of chains like Urban Outfitters, Anthrolpogie, etc., which seem to be seriously affecting the local clothing boutiques like the Projectionist, Lux, etc.

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

Even though some condo projects have had their better days, there are several that have been completed and more currently being constructed. Also remember that downtown blends in and is surrounded by a rather large population of more enviromentaly sensitive people who live in the North and East ends, and then BSU also adds to the support for a trolley. I support the trolley line, one such system was part of the city's history and this is a kind of city a new line would succeed and fit in with the urban landscape.

The connectivity between BSU and downtown isn't so important right now because there isn't enough of a population that lives downtown that commutes to BSU. It certainly would be a good idea holistically, obviously.

I like the idea of connecting "areas" of the Treasure Valley via a trolley or lightrail, though. Connecting Parkcenter with the Northend with Downtown with West Boise with the park systems (Julia Davis, Albertsons, Morrison) with
BSU with St. Al's with lower Bogus Basin Rd just makes a whole lot of sense.

[jufrbo]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

The news downtown is that the 6 or so floors of apartments planned for the top of the capitol terrace garage on 8th between main and idaho is a go and that construction is starting soon. These apts. are geared and priced for younger people as well.

Is this the one attached to the parking garage, or the new name for Boise Tower? Boise Tower is dead for all intents and purposes, the other I saw today and it is going up, but when they announced it, it had ungodly prices.