Housing Developers Breathe Neighborhood Into Downtown Boise

"Seven Boise-area developers plan to spend more than $312 million over the next decade in Boise's Downtown. Their projects vary widely, but they share a vision of Downtown as place where people will live, not just work or play."

"If their buildings fill as they expect, with nearly 1,000 condominiums, then Downtown - once depressed and largely vacant at night, now a vibrant office and night-life center - will morph yet again, becoming a true neighborhood."

"But whether the architecture boosts civic pride or embarrassment - or both - Downtown will likely become a neighborhood of empty-nesters, singles and employees who want to live in multistory buildings near their work places, not commute from single-family homes with lawns. They'll walk from their homes to stores, restaurants and nightclubs."