Treasure Valley Transformation: Downtown Meridian Development Plans Gain Civic Clout

It isn't just Boise that's changing quickly as in-migration picks up its pace in southwestern Idaho.

1 minute read

May 24, 2021, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Treasure Valley

Charles Knowles / Shutterstock

Plans for a community center on five city-owned parcels will push the transformation of downtown in Meridian, Idaho into high gear.

Autum Robertson reports that the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC) is seeking project proposals for the Civic Block on land owned by MDC and the city of Meridian. The parcels up for development grabs include the existing Centennial Park, a parking lot, and a community center. MDC is seeking a mixed-use development that achieves iconic status for the city's quickly changing downtown. The project area is designated as both an Urban Renewal District and an Opportunity Zone.

Downtown Meridian is growing fast, according to Robertson, with the the Old Town Lofts under construction, new small businesses popping up, and a recently opened unBound Library.

Meridian, located between the two most populous cities in the Idaho (Boise and Nampa, respectively) is absorbing some of the in-migration that has redefined the region in recent years—with growth only increasing its pace during the pandemic.

Thursday, May 20, 2021 in Boise Dev

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15 - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

April 15 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

April 15 - NBC Dallas