Search for Downtown Boise Transit Center Site Drags On

Valley Regional Transit on Thursday will give the public a chance to weigh in on the plan for Site H and to review the site adjacent to Royal Plaza. The latter option was a surprise to some property owners, because a few years ago the transit agency rejected it, in part, because it was adjacent to the 26 high-end condominiums.

At the time, the property owner, Oppenheimer Development Corp., was not interested in putting a transit center on its property, according to a 2009 VRT report.

But today Oppenheimer is interested.

Royal Plaza residents don't understand why a site once considered inappropriate is now appropriate. Their concerns include air quality, noise and traffic -- the transit center would bring about 250 bus trips a day.

"This is where we live," said Robins. "These places are not an investment. These are not retail spaces or offices. These are our homes. We are very concerned about what type of impact this would have on us."

VRT said the site near Royal Plaza may be a better location because it is sandwiched between two major streets, and because Oppenheimer's willingness to partner in the development could bring amenities such as a parking garage and retail and office space -- as well as money -- to the project.

Cynthia Sewell: 377-6428

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