Downtown boomtown: igniting Boise's urban core.

• Author: Francom, Sarah Ryther

If you think Boise, Idaho, is a sleepy western town, think again. Boise's downtown urban core boasts more than 100 restaurants, 300 retail stores and 700 businesses. It's a bustling city with hot tech startups and an innovative, educated workforce. It is home to an arts and culture scene that rivals the likes of Seattle and Portland. It has 2,000 acres of parks and a 25-mile greenbelt walkway. And Boise's outdoor recreation has just about whatever adventure you're looking for--from mountain biking and hiking to boating and fishing to skiing and snowboarding. With so much to offer, it's easy to see why people and businesses are moving to the Gem State.

ON THE RISE

Boise is no longer a fly-over city--businesses and people have discovered this charming mountain metropolis. City leaders and developers have responded to Boise's growth spurt, developing modernization plans that marry the city's charming small town feel with big city perks. During the past five years, the city has seen its skyline transform to include new state-of-the-art buildings that offer modern office and retail space, upscale dining establishments and sleek residential condos. It's clear that downtown Boise is a place people want to be.

John Brunelle, executive director of Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), an organization focused on revitalizing downtown Boise, says he is astonished to see his hometown develop into what it is today.

"There's so much going on. In the past few years, we've seen an increased interest in corporate investment for office space as well as housing--it's a new phenomenon for downtown," Brunelle says. "The quality of life is being is discovered by more and more people and corporations. People are putting more value on a healthy lifestyle, where you can balance your career and your personal life, and that's what they're finding in Boise."

Tommy Ahlquist, COO of Gardner Company, a real estate developer, joins Brunelle's enthusiasm for the growing city. "There are cranes and construction crews on nearly every corner," he says.

Gardner Company has been an active developer in the Boise community for more than a decade. The company's first major project was building Eighth & Main. "It was known as the Boise hole, but we saw the opportunity," Ahlquist says. "We were able to partner with Zions Bank and build a great building, which came toward the end of the recession. It's been a great success, and it signaled the rebirth of activity."

Eighth &amp...