At 2 o’clock on Tuesday, the new East Parkcenter Bridge helped the first public drivers cross the Boise River and closed another chapter on the 30 year plus plan. One year ago to the day, I wrote another story on the East Parkcenter Bridge as a ‘Perspective’ piece about the project.
During the Ribbon Cutting and Dedication ceremony, public officials, residents and project workers gathered to hear about the history of the project and its economic impact on the Parkcenter Corridor and South East Boise neighborhood. To no surprise, Bown Crossing developer Derick O’Neill, president of Bown Crossing developer O’Neill Enterprises LLC, a long time proponent of the project, shared his excitement and appreciation for the “vision turned reality.”
There are many still that find the project a waste of tax payers dollars regardless of the project costing nearly $6 million less than budgeted and donations made by the Harris Family, saying that, “It also represents a $15 million gift, from the taxpayers of Ada County, to a developer who didn’t need it, at a time when there is a 15 year supply of developments rotting on the market. The bridge is easily one of the most stupid actions, on a long list of stupid actions, that ACHD has ever done.” I’ve heard many arguments that exhibit similar ignorance and anger.
The Beginning of the Next Chapters of South East Boise Real Estate Development
While many see this project as a completion of a 30+ year old plan, I see it as the beginning of ’smart growth’ that recent developments to the West have completely ignored. The construction of the East Parkcenter Bridge may be done, but the construction of East Junior High and other proposed projects have already begun. It will be tough to see just how the economic slowdown will effect the pace of some of these proposals.
East Parkcenter Bridge is about more than “Re-routing traffic”
Photo Courtesy of Brighton Corp. & Boise City
The proposed plan for Harris Ranch and Barber Valley clearly shows that the East Parkcenter Bridge will do more than make traffic lighter on Warm Springs Blvd. It shows a comprehensive vision for an area that was once “degraded by old industrial uses” as a vibrant, master planned mixed use development that doesn’t completely ignore it’s surroundings, rather, rehabilitates and protects natural habitats that have long been ignored. It takes into consideration more than just community pools and long morning and afternoon commutes by promoting a vision more consistent with neighborhood community through pedestrian walkways, sidewalks in an area of town that is gifted with some of the best natural amenities that Boise has to offer.
The Future Of South East Boise Real Estate
As a Realtor and as a resident of South East Boise, I look forward to watching the changes and seeing the smart growth that is being championed in the Harris Ranch and Barber Valley area. I see this as more than an opportunity for development income, but as an opportunity to set a precedence of how to build and grow new communities. It’s impossible to improve land beyond what God has created for us, but if it is going to be used for growth and development, I hope that the vision remains a constant effort to build strong inclusive community in the Boise area that everyone has access.
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Interesting perspective on the PC Bridge project, not what I expected! Nice writing.