FAQ Page
We felt it would be helpful to list some frequently asked questions about the Armory site. As the process moves forward, these FAQs are bound to evolve, so keep checking back for updates.
Who owns the Armory?
The City of Boise appears to have acquired the Armory in 1993. (view 1993 Warranty Deed)
Why is it for sale?
The City is selling this and other parcels to meet projected budget needs, primarily for library expansion in various neighborhoods. Essentially, the city has already committed the anticipated funds from the Armory sale.
Is the Armory protected from demolition?
The structure is on the National Register of Historic Places, and while this creates certain opportunities for funding and preservation, it does not protect the site from demolition.
What about Zoning?
The most current (2007) Ada County Assessor’s office records of the two main parcels (Fire station and Armory, and parking lot to the east of the Armory) show as R-2 and R-3, respectively, although that may change as this process moves forward. Here are links to the parcel descriptions as of early 2007. Some lot line adjustments have been made to separate the Fire Station from the Armory property in question.
West parcel (prior to splitting off the Fire Station)
East parcel bounded by Avenue H, Logan and Reserve
Overhead view of East parcel
What is EENA’s interest in the site?
The East End is just one neighborhood with a stake in the Armory’s future. EENA residents have long discussed a need for a location that would allow a mix of retail, commercial and public purpose uses. Think Hyde Park, Vista Village or Bowen Crossing. EENA members would likely be impacted the most by changes to the site; at the same time, we would be among the primary customers for any businesses or services located there. Depending on the site’s ultimate uses, other Boise neighborhoods could realize direct or indirect benefits.
What are the role and agenda of the Advisory Committee?
The Advisory Committee has offered to gather and share information, and help draft a set of recommendations that EENA’s board can forward to elected officials and City staff for consideration. We are facilitators. We hope that a strong and inclusive public process up front will give the City of Boise and any future developers a clear sense of neighborhood and community needs and priorities. We’d like to articulate a strategic vision for the site that meets long-term city and neighborhood goals, and creates a perpetual asset for the entire community.
When will the sale take place?
The City plans to sell the site sometime in the fall of 2008.
Has there been an appraisal?
Yes, a formal appraisal was completed in January of 2006. That appraisal placed the fee simple value of the land only (less demolition costs) at $1.925M and the land with the improvements intact (Armory structure) at $2.485M. The appraisal contains a market analysis of the site and structure based on the conditions and available data at the time.
Thanks to the City of Boise and Brad Knipe at Integra Realty Resources for allowing us to post excerpts from the January 2006 appraisal of the Armory property. (See link below to a low-resolution version)
Please note. This information was collected and provided for a specific client and purpose (a new appraisal may be completed on the site in the coming year, as many conditions have changed). It is listed here simply to provide a point-in-time snapshot of the Armory property’s perceived market value in 2006 and to illustrate aspects of the property and market conditions of general interest to development professionals.
Questions about this or future appraisals should be directed to Jennifer Pirtle at the City of Boise; please do not contact the appraisers, as their scope of work was completed upon delivery of this product to the City in 2006 and we wish to respect their time.
January 2006 Armory appraisal excerpts
How big is the Armory?
The Armory structure is divided into three main sections:
1. Three levels of office and storage space in the section facing Reserve Street, with approximately 7,000 per level for a total of 21,000 square feet.
2. The central section is the Drill Hall, a 180′ x 80′ barrel-vaulted open space enclosing approximately 14,400 square feet.
3. The oldest section at the back of the property originally housed the military stables; it contains approximately 9,000 square feet.
Total interior square footage is estimated at just over 40,000 square feet.
The land area is approximately five acres, pending final lot line approval by the City.
What does the Armory look like inside?
The Armory has been vacant for several years. It is essentially empty, and has been vandalized to some extent. While the structure has been deemed sound in many respects, it’s relatively trashed in some areas and needs substantial cleanup. Check out the video clips and photo gallery for a glimpse.
There is some asbestos, quite a bit of juvenile and uninspired grafitti on the walls, and bits and pieces of heating systems scattered throughout. It would likely be very straightforward to gut the framed interior and adapt the space to a variety of uses, but it would not be a project for the faint of heart or lean of wallet.
How can I get involved?
Send us an email…post your comments, suggestions and questions…or subscribe to the RSS feed. We’ll post information on public meetings or activities involving the site so interested parties can be part of the process.
What good is all this information, and why bother?
Any and all information will be made available to all interested parties: neighbors, government, media, and potential developers or bidders. Consistent, accurate and fully accessible information forms the basis for sound strategies, reasonable discussions, and practical expectations all around. At the very least, it should help avoid big last-minute surprises for any stakeholders. Until now, neighbors have been largely passive observers of the Armory and its activities; we’re choosing to take a more proactive role to inform the way forward.