Boise's West End Neighborhood Poised for Renaissance

"The (Boise) West End will go from a predominantly residential area to one that combines single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and apartments with commercial hubs designed to serve the surrounding neighborhoods. Add a tree-lined avenue and buildings with clear design standards, and the area could become the city's next fashionable neighborhood.

Even many of the residents who have taken part in the expanded planning process seem to agree that there is plenty of room for improvement, but at what cost?

Some worry that new development could force lower-income families out of the area, and in the process, destroy the character of the diverse neighborhood.

"It's a question of affordability," said Miguel Gaddi, senior planner at HDR Engineering. "Are you going to enforce, or come up with some incentives where you ask developers to maintain a certain level of affordable properties?"

Gaddi has been studying the West End neighborhood as part of his work completing the specific area plan for the city. "If you don't have that mix, that vibrancy is not going to be there," Gaddi said."

Thanks to Jon Cecil, AICP