a history of boise's neighborhood associations
The development of neighborhood associations in Boise followed nationwide trends, beginning to take rise in the mid-twentieth century. Neighborhood groups emerged to influence livable and sustainable plans in urban communities. Additionally, neighborhood organizations developed in response to ongoing racial desegregation.
Boise experienced a massive population increase in the 1970s. This can be attributed to increased tax rates and political uprisings taking place throughout the west. Large waves of people moving inward from coastal communities required Boise to make massive adjustments in local development plans. An example of this is the Downtown Boise Redevelopment Plan proposed in 1971. A 15-acre redevelopment of the area from Bannock and Front streets, Ninth Streets and Capitol Boulevard would remove sixty-four buildings from the Downtown Boise core, including the Egyptian Theater and Idaho Building.
Boise found itself unprepared for the overwhelming growth, which they feared would gradually compromise the preservation of old neighborhoods and their surrounding lots. The creation of neighborhood associations reflected a desire in Boise to preserve and enhance community livability.
A 1976 Boise Citizen’s Survey shares opinions on urbanization held by citizens during the 1970s. This was conducted to gather demographic information, establish community programming, and analyze the needs of the city.
Image courtesy of Boise State University Special Collections & Archives
Preservation, conservation, and urbanization
Photo ca. 1965
The proposed demolition of Boise's historic Egyptian Theater (above), constructed in 1927, inspired historic preservationists to action
700 W Main St, Boise, Idaho 83702
Image courtesy of Idaho Architecture Project, Egyptian Theater
While neighborhood groups in Boise did not emerge in response to desegregation specifically, Boisesans rallied in response to a perceived threat in sustainability, including increased density, the destruction of historic buildings, and compromising environmental quality.
Historic preservation
The maintenance and preservation of heritage buildings is one of the most important goals for Boise’s neighborhood organizations. There are several homes in Boise that were constructed at the turn of the twentieth century and earlier. Historically, maintaining the appearance and structure of old homes has been a challenge faced by groups through the Downtown core. The North End Neighborhood Association (NENA) combated this particular issue perhaps more than any other neighborhood organization in the city.
The Historic Preservation Commission was established by Boise City Council at the urging of North Enders in 1976. This review board ensured “historically and culturally
significant sites” would be “protect[ed], enhance[ed], and preserve[d]." Hyde Park, located in the heart of the North End, was among the first of these historic districts to be established in Boise in 1980. In addition to protecting, enhancing, and preserving historic sites, the Preservation Commission also sets forth guideline principles that maintain the integrity of designated locations. These restrictions are set in place with the intention of preserving the historic quality of a given district while also encouraging modern livability.
Environmental COnservation
In addition to preserving historic buildings, maintaining the natural environment is an essential element of Boise’s community activism. Advocating for the protection of mature landscaping, increasing bicycle lanes, and developing local parks are just a few action steps made by Boise's neighborhood groups over the years.
Many environmental policies set forth by the City of Boise are reflections of the efforts of passionate neighborhood activists.
A resident of the North End since 1977, Anne Hauswrath and her neighbor, Judy Ouderkirk, used to walk three to four times a week through the Hulls Gulch Reserve at the base of the Boise foothills. During one of their walks, they saw mounds of dirt being dumped near Camel’s Back Park. Hauswrath soon discovered that a large housing development would replace their beloved nature conservatory. The two women determined that the only way to prevent such a project would be by creating their own organization – the Wetlands Coalition. They not only succeeded in preserving the Lower Hulls Gulch area, but Hauswrath also began a community movement that led to the Foothills Levy in 2000. This Levy has allowed the City of Boise to invest in the protection of approximately 11,500 acres of Foothills open space.
Boise's Hyde Park Historic District, view from corner of 13th and Eastman Streets
1521 N 13th St, Boise, ID 83702
Image courtesy of City of Boise
urban development
Hull's Gulch Reserve was the target of development in the early 2000s. It is now one of the most popular hiking spots in Boise.
Image courtesy of North End Neighborhood Association