Surging Development in Boise

BOISE, ID

Idaho's capital city may lack big-name builders and developers, but there has been no shortage of big-time development recently. Boise and surrounding areas are enjoying three new multifamily planned-unit projects rise from the high desert: Moon, Lake Ranch in Eagle, Idaho, where 3.8 to 5.8-acre parcels sell for up to $64,000 an acre; Hidden Springs Ranch, a 1,7000-acre project with 900-plus homes in northwestern Boise that integrates an existing farm operation and provides commercial, civic and industrial development; and Harris Ranch, a 1,740-acre project in east Boise that has been under intense public scrutiny for its proximity to the Boise foothills.

Concern about sprawl, commuter traffic, environmental impact and density issues has slowed development of all three projects, but it seems to be only a matter of time before the local pool of small developers gets some new sources of steady work. In the meantime, Landscape Architects and architects alike are benefiting from the current boom in the usually quiet city.