Veterans Park Neighborhood Association

Mayor Bieter recently launched a new initiative to celebrate good neighbors. (See press release here)

All Boise residents are encouraged to nominate neighbors who have gone out of their way to help those around them. To nominate a local citizen for a Good Neighbor Award, visit goodneighbors.cityofboise.org or contact Charlene Miller at (208) 570-6070. Nominations are due by September 11, 2011.

“Great neighborhoods are the cornerstones of a livable city. Boise is fortunate to have a thriving network of active neighborhoods in all parts of the city,” Mayor Bieter said. “I hope this new initiative will further strengthen the ties between Boise residents, establish new connections within our community and honor those residents who set an example of how good neighbors can improve and enhance our lives.”

ACHD is exploring the possibility of constructing a new street connection between Willow Lane and Alamosa Street using property owned by ACHD.  Click here to view the handouts provided at the most recent open house and email comments to ACHD directly.  Or click here to fill out a short survey about this project before June 6th, 2011.  If you have more questions, contact Jeff Lowe ACHD Transportation Planner at 387-6235.

Five sections of the Greenbelt have been closed because of high flows on the Boise River.

Areas that have been closed include:

• The tunnel on the south side East Parkcenter Bridge near Bown Crossing
• Loggers Creek footbridge from Leadville Avenue east to the West ParkCenter Bridge in Southeast Boise.
• The Bethine Church River Trail, a gravel section from the Cottonwoods Apartments on Riverstone Lane east to the powerline corridor near East Gossamer Lane in Southeast Boise.
• The Broadway Avenue underpass on the north side of the river near Boise State University.
• The Main Street tunnel on the north side of the river near Bernardine Quinn Riverside Park

This week the Statesman reported a slow down to the 30th Street plan as the City and ACHD disagree over how to handle traffic along a portion of the new road. Read the full article here.

VPNA obtained a copy of the alternative that ACHD is proposing, to see that click here

In other news…

Willow Lane Athletic Complex is holding COED softball league sign-ups April 4-8. More info here

Also, congrats to Susan Williamson, the Principal at Taft Elementary, who won a national award. More info here.

We wanted to alert you to the Idaho Statesman article “Boise to Retool 30th Street Neighborhood” 1/23/2011. In addition to plans that are well known, such as the 30th Street Extension road, the Whitewater Park and Esther Simplot Park; the article mentions talk of a community center and a baseball stadium as possible additions to the 30th Street plan.

The Statesman article goes on to mention the Capital City Development Corp, the the city’s urban renewal agency, “which has convened a steering committee to figure out how to make the 30th Street master plan a reality.”  CCDC’s website states that the steering committee “will be meeting over the course of the next six months to consider issues, alternatives and options.”

Mike Hall, of CCDC, visited the VPNA February Board Meeting on Monday (2/21/2011 – see minutes here). He emphasized that CCDC welcomes questions, concerns, etc… from residents. Mike can be reached at 208-384-4264 or mhall@ccdcboise.com. Mike noted a number of ways that residents can be involved and help shape what our neighborhood will look like in the coming years. One way is to join one of the following CCDC sub-committees:

• Physical Infrastructure
• Public Safety
• Social Services
• Policy and Regulations
• Plan Addendum

VPNA’s primary concern with the current plan is pedestrian safety. The board would like to see a separate pedestrian / bicycle crossing, such as an underpass, of the new thoroughfare as an alternative to the proposed traffic light and crosswalk. One critical reason for this is the fact that the greenbelt’s new pedestrian bridge will allow Whittier Elementary students to walk to school, however students also will need to cross the 30th St Extension.

In other news,  Henry’s Farmers Market (the organic grocery chain) has withdrawn its interest in the vacant property on the corner of Bannock and 15th Street.

Have an idea for a community building event or celebration? Then why not apply for the new grant program the City of Boise is offering to expand opportunities for performing artists in local community-building events and celebrations. Organizers of such events are encouraged to apply for funds to help pay performing artists as well as any other costs associated with incorporating them into an event (such as stage or equipment rentals).

The following may apply:

• Individuals, non-profits, businesses and informal groups
• Arts, cultural, history, and educational organizations (other governmental organizations will be considered on an ad hoc basis)
• Community organizations such as neighborhood associations, local cultural groups, or service organizations.

The grant is worth between $500-$2000 and closes March 11, 2011.

For more information visit this webpage:

http://artsandhistory.cityofboise.org/Opportunities/Grants/page62590.aspx