The City of Boise purchased a 0.94-acre property at 3912 W. State Street in December 2020 as part of the Housing Land Trust program, which allows the city to create housing affordable to residents at all income levels and ensure that it remains affordable into the future.
“We are at a critical moment in time,” said Mayor Lauren McLean. “Housing affordability is top of mind for so many Boise residents, at every age, income level and demographic. As a city, we are working hard to identify and maximize opportunities to relieve as much of the very real pressure our residents are feeling around housing. The land at State and Arthur will allow us to do just that – develop housing at affordable rates for many of our community members.”
To kick off the development process, the City of Boise Housing and Community Development team issued a Request for Proposals (RFP), open from April 15, 2021 – May 17, 2021. The vision for the State and Arthur project, included in the RFP, stated:
The City of Boise (COB) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to designate a
development partner with exceptional experience and capability to transform property located at 3912 W. State Street into a quality-designed, multi-family apartment building with a minimum of 35 units focused on providing affordable housing options for households earning between 30% and 100% Area Median Income (AMI). Particular emphasis should be given to providing units for those households earning 60% AMI and below and dedicating a minimum of five units to the Our Path Home program.
Rooted in the city’s commitment to engage residents and collaborate on important issues, the City of Boise worked with community members in a variety of ways while taking into consideration safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Outreach included a survey that was open to the public March 1 – 21, 2021available in English and Spanish, door-to-door canvassing in the area around the project site, and several virtual meetings with the principal at Taft elementary and presidents of surrounding neighborhood associations. Through the survey, community members were asked to provide input on preference for:
- Building material
- Roofline
- Outdoor features
- Sustainable elements
- Ground floor use
- Other amenities
A full report on the community outreach efforts and resident feedback can be found on the City of Boise website. The engagement summary informed the RFP, and community input was provided as reference material in the RFP.
In total, the city received four development proposals for review. A team comprised of representatives from the City of Boise Climate Action Division, Current Planning, and Housing and Community Development Divisions, as well as the Mayor’s Office and the Veteran’s Park Neighborhood Association, assessed the proposals. Ultimately, the Pacific Companies’ proposal was selected for several key reasons, including:
- Use of the Housing Bonus Ordinance to offer the highest number of units
- Significant attention to the integration and connectivity with surrounding neighbors and Taft Elementary
- Vision and commitment to mixed-use, mixed-income housing
- Incorporation of the community’s feedback
- Forward-thinking, transit-oriented development
“We are honored to be trusted with this opportunity to deliver critically-needed affordable housing to the residents of Boise,” said Caleb Roope, founder and CEO of The Pacific Companies. “We thank Mayor McLean, the Council and the City’s dedicated staff who continue to have the vision and political will to do what must be done to address one of the most challenging issues facing our community.”
Now that the intent to award has been issued to the Pacific Companies, the City of Boise Planning and Development Services team will begin the development review process.
To learn more about the proposed project at State and Arthur, visit the City of Boise website.