A Community Vision for Boise

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.

1 minute read

May 19, 2009, 11:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Vision for the Valley started as an editorial-page project of the Idaho Statesman but has been handed off to about 80 TreasureValley political, business and community members who formed a steering committee and 10 subcommittees addressing the economy, transportation, culture, environment and neighborhoods, and other topics.

For the first time, such a grass-roots project has embraced both Ada and Canyon counties, inviting people to explore new avenues of cooperation and craft a regional strategic plan.

Such grass-roots efforts can get results. In 2000, city leaders and a citizens group joined forces to preserve open space in the Foothills. The Boise Foothills levy - a two-year, $10 million property tax levy - received about 60 percent voter approval.

But community "visions" also can be fickle undertakings."

Monday, May 18, 2009 in The Idaho Statesman

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