Boise...Paris of the West?

By: Diane Ronayne

Could Boise be the Paris of the West? As spring buds burst on downtown “street trees,” couples walk hand-in-hand under gas lights in the Basque Block, art galleries and boutiques snuggle next to high-rise condos, sidewalk cafes and coffee houses entice workers from nearby offices and far-flung suburbs alike, and music wafts on summer Wednesdays from the “centre de la ville”—the Grove Plaza—where hundreds dance and glance at Alive After Five. The only thing missing is the Metro.

Just a couple of decades ago, it looked way different here. For 20 years after the “urban renewal” of the ‘70s, “bombed-out” acres of rubble and unpaved parking lots assaulted the eye where dancers boogie today. It took a cadre of visionary business leaders, elected officials and concerned citizens many years, but eventually they turned around downtown. Since 1987, a key partner in this effort has been the Downtown Boise Association.

Known informally as the DBA, this organization administers the Downtown Boise Business Improvement District bounded by 5 th, State, 13 th and Myrtle streets. All businesses located in the district are subject to an annual assessment from Boise City that pays for keeping their sidewalks snow-free in winter and beautified by hundreds of flower-filled planters in summer; for organizing events such as the First Thursday Gallery Stroll, Alive After Five Summer Concert Series and the Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration; and for marketing downtown as Boise’s most diverse and vibrant shopping, dining, arts and entertainment destination.

After Kâren Sander became DBA’s executive director in 2004, she moved her staff from the 8^th floor of the C.W. Moore Plaza at 5^th and Grove to a second-floor “crib” in the historic Union Block at 720 W. Idaho St. The move was symbolic of her desire for DBA to work more closely with the businesses surrounding the Romanesque-style building, many housed in equally venerable structures.

“Moving the DBA into the heart of downtown has been a positive for both the organization and members of the Business Improvement District,” Sander says. “We really enjoy being in the Union Block and being able to have immediate access to downtown and the membership.”

The Union Block was built in 1902 from sandstone quarried at nearby Table Rock. You could call it Boise’s first “condo:” Mayor Moses Alexander, Charles Clark, Jerry Lusk, Robert Nobel and Fort Boise Commandant Gen. John Green each owned one-fifth of the $35,000 building (a street-front bay plus the space above and below it). These supporters of the North during the Civil War were unhappy with what they considered the arrogance of southern sympathizers, who had lost the war but constituted a majority of territorial settlers. In what would be called a political statement today, the group proclaimed their allegiance to the victorious North by naming the new and luxurious building the Union Block.

The first business to move in was Capitol News and Printing Co., soon followed by grocery and paint stores, Boise Mercantile Co., Ltd., and The Second Hand Store. Upstairs were Christensen’s Dance Hall, a banquet hall and offices. At one time or another, the premises held Fisher’s Office Supply (1936-1990), Ken Nichols’ Gymnasium and Health Club, an Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Boise Chamber of Commerce, KTVB Television, Montgomery Ward, State Barber and Beauty School, and even Frank’s Roller Rink, upstairs in the 1940s. Until soundproofing was installed, tap dancing in Lloyd Carlson’s dance studio in the mid-1950s caused consternation in Benson’s Rexall Drug Store below. At one time or another (but presumably not at the SAME time), lawyers, Republican Party staff and--purportedly--“ladies of the night” found space to do their business on the second floor.

Although listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the Union Block stood nearly empty for 16 years thereafter until far-sighted developer Ken Howell of Parklane Management Co. won the contract to renovate it. In 1996, several eateries moved in on the ground floor, and the ballroom above was rechristened The Rose Room and opened once again to host the kinds of events that build community: parties, dances, theatrical performances and meetings.

After eighteen successful years, DBA is spicing up the Alive After Five Summer Concert Series by adding quality regional music acts. Organized by DBA Operations and Event Manager Geoff Hundt, this event attracts thousands to downtown each week during the summer to enjoy a free concert on the Grove Plaza.

In January 2005, DBA Administrative Assistant Stacy Heck added “Member Services” to her title and now works full time to provide excellent customer service to members.

Like the historic Union Block where it’s located, the DBA is a vital part of an active, pedestrian-friendly place: downtown Boise -- the center of Treasure Valley’s cultural and civic activities, a source of community pride for residents and a foundation of economic well-being for business growth.