The Idaho Statesman

Residents in the greater Boise area are teaming up for a community visioning process they hope will help guide future physical and economic development in the region. It's been tried before, but organizers argue this time will be different.

Congress is expected to offer up to $16 million of stimulus money to the state of Idaho for transportation projects. But in the Treasure Valley -- home to Boise and a third of the state's population -- there aren't any projects that are ready to go.

Boise, Idaho and other cities in the region have adopted "percent for the arts" initiatives, and are looking to public art to reflect the region's 'maturity.'

Boise is hoping to follow on the coattails of Little Rock in bringing back a long de-commissioned trolley system to the city's downtown.

A 17-story condominium tower in Boise, Idaho is being built on a 32-foot-wide footprint. Workers talk about the challenges of constructing such a skinny building.

Proposals for planned communities have taken a sharp downturn in Idaho since last year. A deteriorating housing market and the lack of infrastructure are being cited for delays in development.

Idaho's Treasure Valley has garnered 150 days of air quality alerts in 2007, but is still considered safe by federal air quality standards. With further growth expected, many are concerned that air quality will not be so safe next year.

As one of the fastest growing states in the nation, Idaho should begin to think hard about what that growth means to the environment, writes Rachel Winer.

This editorial from the Idaho Statesman says that a proposal to switch from a per-gallon gas tax to a per-mile taxing system is flawed.

As Boise looks to a future of growth and expansion, it is hoping to acquire nearly 2,000 acres of unused federal land from the Bureau of Land Management. But a neighboring suburb also wants to claim the land.

In downtown Boise, recently announced plans to construct a homeless shelter have many local business owners upset and making arrangements to move out of the area. The city, however, is defending its decision to approve the shelter.

As roads become more congested, one congestion mitigation proposal would encourage state workers to telecommute.

With gradual growth in the amount of plans for energy efficient buildings and a rise in applications for LEED certification, Idaho is joining with many other states in a push to build more environmentally-friendly homes and buildings.

A proposal for a water pipeline to bring water to distant developments in Idaho highlights the history of water being diverted farther and farther from its source to feed growth.

With a number of large-scale condo and apartment developments planned for downtown Boise, seven developers are transforming the formerly vacant downtown into a vibrant neighborhood.

In an effort to bring a renaissance to its downtown, a city in Idaho has approved creation of a live-work district which encourages development of properties where people can both live and work. City officials are hoping to attract local business.

Funds have been approved to identify site selection for a multi-modal transit center in downtown Boise. The city is also pushing its public transit system to create fixed bus stops so that riders won't have to flag down buses to get a ride.

A Boise historian promotes walking as a way to get in touch with the city's history, and officials are hoping a walking education will help residents understand why planning is essential to managing the city's huge population growth.

Commissioners in Ada County, Idaho declare planner's private contract with adjacent county violated county ethics statute.

More than 20 master planned communities have been proposed in Idaho since 2000. And the trend of the increasing popularity of MPCs is spreading nationwide.