The Grove in Downtown Boise

Earlier this week Will and I took a little stroll through downtown Boise.  We discussed life, landscape and what it all means.  One thing we agree on is that downtown Boise needs some help.  There are some really cool and interesting areas downtown.  There are also some areas that with some planning could be so much better. 

The first place we went was the Grove.  Everybody in Boise knows the Grove.  It's pretty much in the middle of downtown right between Qwest Arena, The Boise Centre, Idaho Street and Myrtle St.  It is the home of Boise's popular summertime "Alive After Five" concert series and drunk fest as well as numerous other events throughout the year.  There is just one restaurant with a patio in the Grove; The Brick Oven Bistro.  The Grove is a pedestrian space only accessible by foot, bicycle, Segway or unicycle.  While the Grove is a large open plaza, the four main entryways are essentially alleyways with sterile building walls on both sides.

South walkway from BoDo

North entry from 8th St

West entry from 9th St

South walkway from Bodo

The fountain in the very middle

As a casual observer and consumer of this space, I never paid much attention to its design or lack of functionality.  You have to get to it somehow right? 

In a later post Will will speak to the design elements and why or why not it is the way it is and what could have, should have been done originally to make this a more friendly and usable space.

Until next time,

Krisjan