DOWNTOWN BOISE MULTIMODAL CENTER

Downtown Boise Multimodal Center

    The multimodal transportation center will be a central downtown hub for ValleyRide buses and other future modes of transit. It will have space to stage buses and other future modes of transit. It will have space to stage buses, taxicabs and Commuteride (vanpool) vehicles. It will also offer lockers for bicycle storage.
    The existing ValleyRide dowtntown transit center, built in 1990, is located along a four-block plus area along Main and Idaho Streets. It is lacking in services - i.e. there are no customer service offices and bathrooms (for drivers and passengers). The walking distance when transferring from one bus route to another at the existing transit mall can be as long as two blocks.
   The proposed multimodal center also would be able to accommodate future growth of the ValleyRide system - which may include additional bus lines, bus rapid transit, and rail.

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Background

In 2005, Valley Regional Transit received $9.5 million in federal funding and $2.4 million in local match for the construction of a multimodal transportation center in downtown Boise. The installation of a centralized transit coenter is a critical step in developing a regional public transportation system in the Boise Valley.
Up until mid-August 2011, there were two downtown locations under consideration for locating the multimodal center. Both Site D and Site H were among the initial seven locations considered for the new downtown center.
Site D is a vacant half-block bordered by 12th Street to the west, Idaho Street to the north, and Main Street to the south. Site H is a half-block bordered by 11th Street to the west, Bannock Street to the north and Idaho Street to the south. The environmental assessment of the building site has been completed and has a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). The FONSI has been approved by the FTA. Read the approved Environmental Assessment Report for Site H. Read the FONSI for Site H.
Following careful consideration of both sites, Valley Regional Transit reaffirmed that Site H is the preferred site for the multimodal center. (read the press release). An open house was held May 5, 2011 in downtown Boise to provide information about the project and to collect public comment.
In June 2012, Valley Regional Transit (VRT) announced that it is considering an additional site to locate the multimodal center in downtown Boise. The newest site under consideration, on the southwest corner of 8^th and Jefferson, is currently a surface parking lot. Kelli Fairless, VRT Executive Director, said the newest location could be a benefit for public transportation. The proposed location at 8th and Jefferson would provide a central location with quick access to downtown Boise for transit customers. It is immediately adjacent to a pedestrian-friendly area and would provide easy access to downtown for workers, visitors and shoppers. The state employs about 2,300 workers in the nearby Capitol Mall complex.
In addition to the 8^th and Jefferson property, other possibilities for the multimodal center include Site H (see above) and an on-street option.
The parking lot is owned by the Normal School Endowment. VRT will conduct an environmental assessment that will examine the effects of locating the transit center at the 8^th and Jefferson site. The environmental assessment is expected to be complete by early 2013. There also will be multiple opportunities for public comment.

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OCTOBER 17 OPEN HOUSE A SUCCESS

Thank you to all who attended the Oct. 17 open house to learn more about the project and provide comment. If you did not attend the meeting, but want to comment, you can fill out a COMMENT FORM. Instructions on the options available to submit the form is located at the bottom of the form. Please note that the deadline for submitting the form is Saturday,Oct. 27, 2012. If you have any questions, you can contact Mark Carnopis at 208-258-2702 or mcarnopis@valleyregionaltransit.org.

ACCESS THE INFORMATION DISPLAY BOARDS FROM THE OCT. 17 OPEN HOUSE

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ARCHIVES

Access the information display boards from the May 5, 2011 open house.
Access additional background information and materials about the project.

Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study

The Downtown Boise Multimodal Center is one of three related planning projects that make up the Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study. This project began in 2007 in conjunction with Valley Regional Transit (VRT), the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) and other member agencies. The two other planning projects that make up the study are:

Downtown circulator - A circulator would be a service to improve mobility among primary destinations within and adjacent to downtown Boise. The COMPASS portion of this project is complete; responsibility for future work now belongs to the City of Boise and the Capital City Development Corporation. Visit (www.boisestreetcar.org) for more information.
High-capacity corridor - A plan for high-capacity transit service for locations along I-84 within Ada and Canyon counties.

Learn more about the Treasure Valley High Capacity Transit Study