Plans for a new downtown library in Boise are developing, and they could bring changes to the entire neighborhood. An old warehouse that’s been the home of Foothills School of Arts and Sciences for more than 20 years will likely meet the wrecking ball. Both the owner of the property and the school say they’ve been exploring their options.
Foothills School of Arts and Sciences sits at 8th and River Streets in Boise’s core, just north of the downtown library. City representatives approached the owner of the property, Wilcomb LLC, and school officials about their interest in redeveloping the site and using part of it for library parking.
The future of the parcel has been top of mind for both parties. According to the Statesman, leaders at Foothills say they’ve been looking into relocating for a couple years. For its part, Wilcomb says it’s weighed overhauling the property. The library project has proven a catalyst for each.
Nick Cofod, the head of Foothills, says the school has found another downtown location. He says being in the city center is critical to the student experience. The current school year will be the final one in the warehouse.
Plans for what will go at the corner of 8th and River Streets are still forming. Tentatively, a six-floor building will be constructed offering ground level retail, several levels of parking above the shops and residential units on the fifth and sixth floors. The City Of Boise would own the parking levels and have patrons of the new library park there.
Built in 1946, the warehouse currently on the property counts General Electric and a paper company as previous tenants.
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