aquarium in Boise (Nampa, Meridian, Caldwell: homes, rent, lease)

[boiseguy]

^ I agree.. school trips already go down to the park for the art museum and historical museum, the zoo, the black history museum... wouldn't putting the aquarium down there amongst all of that make more sense? besides.. who's going to want to drive out to eagle road to visit an aquarium on a hot summer day? when most people ride their bikes downtown and to the park already... seems like they're taking a different approach.. and it leaves the door open for the city of boise or someone else to put an aquarium downtown later and put you out of business... doesn't make sense to me.. but whatev...

[Ammon]

We have considered several locations all over the city including Downtown. We have narrowed it down to 7 locations right now. We have one spot that is Downtown and it's on our top 4. The problem is that downtown is $30 per foot and if you need 90,000 sf Thats $2.7 mil thats a lot of money for land and thus far not very many people in the community have supported us donation wise. Whereas we get a location on Overland,Fairview, State,Eagle Franklin you name it we can almost get any prime location like that for under $9 sf the same amount of space is $500k to $750k.

With cost in mind and making sure that with the limited resources we have, we must keep in mind the entire project cannot exceed $3 million . The community simply cannot support more than that. Other Aquariums across the country have gone bankrupt because their eyes were bigger than the community could handle.

Anyone is welcome to help make this choice. We have a committee just for this decision with 9 volunteers out of the nearly 200 we have only 9 want to be involved in the construction side so far.

Thanks for your interest and I hope this helps.

[parteira]

in albuquerque, we have an area just off downtown, next to the river, called the abq bio park. http://www.cabq.gov/biopark/index.html
it's wonderful because it is home to a small zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden. it is a huge attraction for everyone, especially youngsters. i have no idea what the costs were in building it years ago, but it appears to be thriving. cost permitting, i'd love to see boise try something like this--integrating the aquarium with other downtown and natural attractions, like the river or one of the parks. i think it would be a huge selling point for the aquarium to have these nearby features.

[wireman]

There is already one in cabelas........for crying out loud how many does Boise need. Remember this is Boise freaking Idaho we don't need that b.s.

[boiseguy]

Originally Posted by wireman

There is already one in cabelas........for crying out loud how many does Boise need. Remember this is Boise freaking Idaho we don't need that b.s.

well the reality is.. when you said boise freaking idaho back in the day you were refering to a town of about 100,000 people with half a dozen small farming towns around it with two lane roads connecting them all. Now when you say boise freaking idaho you're talking about a metropolitian area of 650,000 people. An aquarium is not out of the ordinary... an aquarium that isn't found in a big box store either...
I think this is the same attitude many other people have when it comes to funding public transportation. Its only boise freakin idaho...
one day you'll stop and look around you and realize its a valley full of over a million people and you'll have only yourself to blame why you have to fight your way thru traffic just to get to work in the morning... and yes that can and will happen.. even in boise freakin idaho

[Ammon]

Originally Posted by wireman

There is already one in cabelas........for crying out loud how many does Boise need. Remember this is Boise freaking Idaho we don't need that b.s.

Remember the Boise Aquarium wont cost taxpayers anything. We are a private non-profit, not applying to the City for any money. The Zoo on the other hand cost the taxpayers millions per year, (not that I don't agree with having a Zoo), but the Aquarium will cost nothing to those who do not want to come.There are really no bad things that can come of an aquarium in Boise. it's really just another place for kids to learn. When you consider that it is the same price as a movie it's not bad for an outing with the kids.

[Ammon]

The one in Cabela's is not a public aquarium as much as it is just an aquarium. The Boise Aquarium will be 22,000 sf. over 200,000 gallons of sea water. there will also be mammals there Seals, otters and such. Besides where else can you go scuba dive with sharks? not Cabela's...

[Deselminator]

I agree with many of the posters...downtown would probably be the most ideal place if it is feasible. Keeping it near other attractions such as the zoo would probably be good for business I would think.

[jufrbo]

Originally Posted by wireman

There is already one in cabelas........for crying out loud how many does Boise need. Remember this is Boise freaking Idaho we don't need that b.s.

Calling Cabela's an aquarium is like calling a pet store the zoo.

[parteira]

i am so excited for the aquarium. i hope that the planners can find a way to locate it near downtown, close to the other beautiful attractions in the city. a growing city like boise really needs new projects and developments that work towards urban sustainability.