Christine King
If the city had been concerned about "balancing the needs of . . . the greater community good", we would have been presented with options BEFORE this plan had been unveiled. The city would have known costs to relocate the cabin in order to still be used by The Cabin would be closer to twice the amount the city originally pitched. You are correct that this proposal is out of balance--it is all about glossy magazines touting Boise as the nation's convention destination and Bieter's ego. Exactly why the baseball stadium was originally planned so close to downtown rather than the more manageable location now being considered.

M. Thomas
Well said! If city leaders were truly invested in maintaining the Cabin's historic designation, there would be no talk of relocating or even encroaching on the Cabin's current space. This entire library campus proposal is out of balance.

Alex Jones
Of course the Cabin is at risk! The Cabin belongs to the people of Boise...not the literary society that has made the building home for 20+ years... Stop whitewashing this issue. The Cabin needs to stay where it is and the new library design needs to accommodate the historic and VERY local significance of that structure. City of Boise seems committed to the avarice and ambition of developers and their "monetization of things" above any true desire to preserve and protect what has made this city viable. It was the warring factions in past Boise politics that made the downtown a "ghost town" and we are seeing this play out again... the library design is overbearing and the fantasy of Kevin Booer and David Bieter. Lets get some perspective and recognize that the populace is "woke."

Ranelle Nabring
Wow, I did not realize that The Cabin had recently undergone ADA upgrades. That's not something to overlook! I really think the design undermines a piece of history and overlooks what many Boiseans hold to be dear about our downtown core. Urban Renewal all over again! Save this jewel and piece of our history!

Christine King
When you write you are in favor of moving The Cabin, you mention students would maintain access, but I have not read any commitment from the city the intention to relocate the cabin as The Cabin, that will be very expensive. The official comment here is quite vague.

Diane Plastino Graves
What the cabin is and where it is is the same thing. It is not an issue of moving the nonprofit The Cabin. But moving the cabin building itself, which was built by the CCC on that spot in 1939., would be a tragedy. It would be like moving the Boise Depot to west Boise, or the Statue of Liberty to New Jersey. It is at home in that spot, and has been for 7 decades. We need these special places to remain untouched, so that Boise has representations of all its history, intact. https://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article214439969.html

bonnie zimmerman
How many of the in favor of boise spending millions of dollars to highlight boise downtown will ever go to the new library. I live downtown boise. I will go to the library a couple of times a month. My friends and family do not like to come downtown and pay for parking. People from out of town may visit once. We have a library, a history museum, an art gallery, and many locations for conferences. Boise is already a beautiful place, we don’t need someone else’s idea of what we need and what they think is glamorous.we definitely don’t need multiple years of construction ruining the best part of boise, the green belt. What will it look like in a couple of years when we run out of money. It is already too expensive to live in boise,

Agreed, well said. Today is the city council meeting, and their is a petition on change.org

We should not be so adamate about creating “new space”, we should focus on enhancement, restoration, and enabling. We have a historic theatre downtown, we have a performing arts center downtown, we have meeting spaces downtown. Let’s focus on adult learning, literacy, creative writing (keep the Cabin), GED completion, and community volunteer options. How are we providing space for the hearing impaired (classes? Signs?), what about the mobility challenged (why can’t employees travel from floor to floor?), and then there are many who visit and move here from other countries and other states. Where is the Idaho showcase of talent? Where is the transition for transplants who speak other languages?

No

The footprint is massive comparing to the buildings around it. Talk to any meteorologist and they will remind you that for every bit of concrete and asphalt you add next to a river, you change the micro climate by a few degrees. The size of the building should be considered a weather changer. Birds and fish are the larger species we think of, but so much more is going to be altered by such an enormous building.

I would use a different branch location.

I would go less because parking and walking during the winter, crossing a street, is just poor planning. I still can’t see where the bus stops are.

The Mayor and City Council need to stop focusing on what “legacy” they will leave. We lost the beautiful flags in front of City Hall for some odd modern art of trees that we have down at the river. Let’s not get so lost in making a name for a political office, that we miss what the true needs are: multi-level parking, mature trees, better paid security to handle homeless and loitering, historic buildings to stay at original historic sites (The Cabin), pedestrian friendly (longer crossing time), and better selection of books. I always pick up extra books due to hands on browsing -but our downtown location has such odd organization and such huge empty spaces between sections, that it doesn’t invite me to browse.

No

M. Thomas
The current library is a piece of Warehouse District history, even though it falls outside of the protection of the Historic Warehouse / South 8th Street Historic District, and as such it would be terrible to see it demolished. If a new central library is needed, why not closer to the Mall area where it would be more central for Boise residents, and the downtown library could become a branch library? Or just more branch libraries throughout the city? I really like your idea of the Armory for Arts & History and event space. Then the Fort Boise Community Center could be updated and that area would serve as a community gathering space.

R Lange
Scott has a really great alternative location idea!

scott tagg
I like the overall design of the building, but not the location. The city has better options. Demolish the current library and replace with parking garage and first floor retail. Build the new library at the western gateway into the city, at whitewater and Fairview (Local Construct project, which would have parking garage and apartments). Arts and History and event venue space should move to the Boise Armory, as it has space and ample parking. Include a City of Boise museum at the Armory. Again the design is great, but not that location. We can do better!

After a major operation I loved the curbside pickup option, it saved me from boredom at home, and navigating the entrance and parking lot. Recently, I was visiting the downtown Seattle branch and it was loud and crazy in the “lounge areas”

Maria Kauffman
This structure is beautiful but It seems firm has won out over function.I’ve taken my 5.5yo to the library every week since she was an infant. I also recently had knee surgery and have a new awareness of how hard simple errands have become. Reducing onsite parking by 75% and moving parking further away from the library reduces the convenience of the library dramatically and I feel would deter many people from using the main library. I also don’t understand the emphasis on the arts and culture areas. Adding a theater will compound the parking issue. I agree that art should be incorporated into the library, but is a gallery the best use of space when BAM is across the street? Is a theater necessary when JUMP is right around the corner? One of the best features of the main library is the drive through book drop. Will this feature be retained? If you eliminate it are you considering city wide drop of points? I am perplexed the designer simply ignored The Cabin and didn’t incorporate it into the design. Is it necessary to have a large lounging area around the library and on the roof? It feels like overkill and an egregious waste of potential parking and makes it harder for people with disabilities to reach the door. I love that Boise is becoming more cosmopolitan and an upgraded library is overdue. But this library feels unnecessarily extravagant and loses the main function in all the excess.

Brooke O.
too flashy and does not compliment the environment or other buildings nearby.

Brooke O.
more shade, more trees, less windows/reflection and a more thoughtful timeless design

Alex Takasugi
I would like to see thought and effort put into preventing bird collisions with all the glass window space. The American Bird Conservancy has ideas here: https://abcbirds.org/program/glass-collisions/learn-more/ Check out the "Resources for Architects, Planners and Develpers" section.

Kathy Crowley
Once again, I want to reiterate the need to protect the birds especially since the project is adjacent to our most valuable natural resource, the Boise River! The river is a sanctuary for a multitude of species. We need to be cognizant of the importance of maintaining habitat while meeting the needs of the community. Our song birds are declining in number. Let's protect them as well as our birds of prey and others.

Chryssa Rich
No, I think the wall of windows will kill too many birds.

Carole Whiteleather
Forgot to explain my reasons regarding The Cabin. As the former Director of Education for The Cabin, I must stress the importance of the location for one of the most dynamic programs, Summer Writing Camps. Students need the access to nature, the museums, zoo and downtown for the various writing assignments and camps in which they participate. When we re-designed the camps from a small three week window to a full summer of offerings, many more students have enjoyed this opportunity. Moving The Cabin could be detrimental to this wonderful experience for kids. Thank you for your consideration of my comments.

Kevin Brandt
There is no information about parking, none is shown in the drawings and the in the paper it has been stated that underground parking is cost prohibitive. There is extremely limited off-site parking in this area. I'm concerned that vanity and design has taken first place over function.

Theresa M
It is too big. Do NOT move The Cabin. That is an important and living part of the City’s history and fabric.

M. Thomas
I would like to see a detailed breakdown of the $85 million proposed budget including how much has already been spent on the project; costs of renovation versus demolition; full disclosure of the architectural services selection process including financials; and transparent and complete breakdown of funding (including clarification of the $46.8 million from Tax Support and $22.2 million from Partnerships/Donations listed on p. 187 of the FY2019 City Budget). In the concept presentation to City Council in December 2017, a line item of $4.1 million for renovation of the existing warehouse was included as part of an overall proposed budget of $63.7 million that included $10.5 million for a parking garage and $10.7 million for event space & equipment. Nothing was mentioned about The Cabin at that point. How did that jump to complete demolition and an $80-85 million budget plus a separately funded parking garage?

J Crowe
this building is beautiful but can but can Boise/Boise citizens afford it? On top of the current projected costs, has the city considered the cost of affordable parking for citizens? Has the city considered projected maintenance/utility costs for a south facing wall of windows in our desert climate? And has the City considered the cost of moving the Cabin which is all about the history of our community?

Kathy Kustra
I'm greatly disappointed you didn't figure out a way to incorporate The Cabin in its original location into this design or campus. This new building should not forget our history.

I appreciate the idea to modernize a city library, but the reason I don’t currently frequent the downtown library is the hassle of parking. A parking structure a block away means a safety concern crossing the street. Why not have multi tier parking where the current spaces are. Also don’t forget that Boise City code calls for one mature tree to be planted for every single mature tree that you tear down for any construction. Shade is imperative for Boise, having a huge glass building that reflects a glare for people and humans is not conducive to a welcoming environment. Before the City Leaders decided to accelerate growth, we repaired and thoughtfully planned ahead. This seems rushed and like the rest of major projects proposed to be developed: too much like Seattle or LA and not enough like Boise.