Rebuild Old Boise Blocks
On Grove Street

Community-driven infrastructure and placemaking improvements that support economic vitality and a stronger, more connected neighborhood.

Grove Street between 4th Street and 5th Street, looking west. Photo by Matthew Wordell.

Background 

The Old Boise neighborhood has transformed over 150 years as Boise grew and technology evolved. Once an agricultural hub with open canals and water wheels along Grove Street, it later became a multicultural community shaped by the railway. By the mid-20th century, the rise of automobiles led to paved roads, parking lots, and commercial development, reshaping the neighborhood while preserving its history. 

While the area has seen significant change, the throughline in each of these transitions is that the Old Boise Blocks have been, and continue to be, a neighborhood where people want to live and experience downtown Boise together. 

Old Boise Neighborhood Reinvestment– In 2020, CCDC worked with adjacent property owners, neighbors, stakeholders, and the public to develop a collaborative, community-supported vision for the area. Through this collaborative process, several community-driven desires subsequently became the Rebuild Old Boise Blocks project. 

 

Summary 

Rebuild Old Boise Blocks was a CCDC led Capital Improvements project in the River-Myrtle Old Boise Urban Renewal District. It brought a host of roadway and placemaking improvements that contributed to the revitalization of the historic neighborhood and supported the growing number of residents and private developments. Community-driven improvements included: 

  • Added pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure to improve safety and connectivity, featuring raised intersections and curb extensions for easier navigation and visibility 
  • Streetscape enhancements, including wider sidewalks, sandstone benches, event power bollards, an electric vehicle charging station, increased pedestrian lighting, and the addition of 44 trees 
  • Utility upgrades, including a new water main, stormwater system improvements, and expanded fiber optic access 
  • Installation of two public artworks in partnership with Boise City Department of Arts & History to celebrate the area’s heritage and honor the agricultural significance of the Old Boise Blocks 

 

“Crossroads of Boise” by Mungo Ligoya – a series of ten cast bronze inlays in the Grove Street sidewalk with artworks that represent national flowers from the Basque Country, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Idaho, Japan, and Mexico, together highlighting important moments in Boise’s immigration history to date. 

“Clepsydra” by Bobby Zokaites – inspired by the existing waterwheel at C.W. Moore Park, the sculpture features a central wheel and repetition of form to reference the sheer number of waterwheels originally used to irrigate Boise and Grove Street. Water and wheels were also used throughout history and across the world to measure time. This sculpture is modeled after ancient water clocks known as “clepsydras”. These six unique water-carrying vessels represent the evolution and beauty of human ingenuity as well as the immigrant populations who developed this neighborhood including: Russian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Basque, and Swedish. 

 

This project was completed in November 2024. 

 

Contact 

For project specific questions, please contact CCDC Senior Project Manager, Amy Fimbel.