8th Street Plaza in Boise, Idaho
2022 Technical Information
Boise Central Gateway
Status:
Proposal
Location:
Boise, Idaho
Client:
City of Boise
Service:
Urban Design
Emiliano Espasandin, Maya Nash, Mia Morrone
Project Information
The area at the intersection of downtown and the Boise River currently lacks a cohesive identity due to excessive streets and parking lots and limited pedestrian access to the Library, other cultural destinations, and the Greenbelt. Additionally, the shared space between pedestrians and bikes creates safety issues within the Anne Frank Memorial. We were asked to develop a long-term vision plan to guide any short-term improvements in a way that would create safer zones of movement for both bikes and pedestrians and enhance the under-used public space of this important intersection for downtown Boise. To address this, we focused on transforming 8th Street behind the library, an underused cul-de-sac, into an active shared street and urban plaza to improve connectivity and add vibrancy to this district.
DISCOVER
Nature at the Center of the City
Boise's downtown connects to nature through the Boise River and foothills, offering trails for outdoor recreation. The central Gateway serves as the main link to this natural network but currently lacks adequate public space and connectivity despite its cultural and ecological significance.
CONNECT
8th Street: A Vibrant Corridor
A connected 8th Street corridor would link Boise’s downtown to nature, commerce, and culture, culminating in a vibrant public plaza that integrates the Greenbelt into the streetscape. This active pedestrian street would enhance the city’s character, mirroring the iconic Capitol Boulevard.
CELEBRATE
Community - Knowledge - Culture - Nature
The central gateway's landmarks are disconnected and accessible only by car, yet their proximity creates a unique district identity. Connecting these spaces to each other and the city will enhance the public realm and celebrate Boise’s existing cultural and historical resources.
ACTIVATE
Public Space that Brings People Together
This plan transforms 8th Street into a bike and pedestrian corridor, connecting downtown landmarks and the riverfront, creating an active public plaza that can accommodate multiple functions. It strengthens ties to the Greenbelt and downtown Boise, fostering a vibrant and connected urban space.