Dec 26 2006
A vision thing
The Boise Idaho Statesman is in process on its editorial page of celebrating five people of local impact in 2006, today citing the “most visionary” area person of the year.
Their pick is Mark Rivers, who has been a key developer of the new BoDo retail and commercial development south of downtown.
Rivers is without doubt impactful (Ridenbaugh Press has listed him in the past among influential figures in Idaho), and BoDo is broadly regarded as a good development.
But does it say something about Boise, about Idaho and about its leading newspaper that its most visionary person in the state this year is thought to be the developer of a shopping center?
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Randy,
If Rivers had been chosen solely for his work on BoDo, I’d cry foul, too. But I’d like to think (and hope) that the Statesman picked him more for what he’d like to do as his next act: the Library Blocks project.
As I understand it, the Library Blocks would center on a new, green library to replace our tired, reader-unfriendly warehouse. It also would involve extensive housing at all price points.
If Rivers succeeds, this project could make downtown living more affordable and accessible, which would have a positive impact on downtown both for livability and helping people get around without their cars. It sounds pretty visionary to me – a worthy antidote to the sprawl that’s plaguing the Treasure Valley.