momentum 2015
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Meridian Momentum Welcome to Momentum
Meridian's Infrastructure
Introduction to Meridian from the mayor, CEO of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce.
Public works projects constantly changing the face of Meridian for the better.
Commercial Growth
History of Meridian
Page 4
Businesses saw big growth throughout 2014.
Pages 6-8
Things To Do Parks and recreation, art and more activities available for all ages.
Pages 15-19
From agriculture to retail destination.
Pages 20-23
Looking forward Plenty of future growth set for Meridian.
Pages 24-27
Pages 9-11
Schools
Attractions
Idaho's largest school district given new name — West Ada County School District.
City looks to Sportsplex, brings in visitors with corn mazes.
Pages 12-14
Pages 28-30
MP file photo
Land off Ten Mile Road near Interstate 84 is for sale and could be developed with the potential to include retail and restaurants.
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Moving Meridian forward through 2015 By Tammy de Weerd MERIDIAN MAYOR
O
ur Meridian today has evolved over the last decade into a full-service city with a growing business community, great places to go and lots to do! Meridian is no longer a well-kept secret – we are a desirable place to live, work and raise a family. It comes as no surprise that we were recognized as one of the
fastest growing cities in the nation this past year. While we have been steadily growing, we have maintained a “smart growth” approach – we grow from the inside. This ensures we can provide the level of services that our citizens expect, regardless of our size. This was one, among many, reasons we were named by Money Magazine as one of America’s top 50 Best Places to Live in 2014. While our community evolves, our areas of focus have primarily been on jobs, places to go, responsive government, transportation and remaining one of the safest cities in Idaho. When it comes to jobs, we
collaborate with our business and regional partners in growing and attracting family-wage jobs for our residents. We work to build a successful environment for our businesses, creating synergies among compatible and complimentary business sectors. In transportation, we work with our partner agencies in building a comprehensive strategy for enhancing connectivity throughout our community which includes recreational transportation, such as walking and bicycling.
We want to make it easier for our residents to get from point ‘a’, to point ‘b’ whether in a car or on a bike. Having a responsive government means budgeting is a top priority. The city is transparent, maintains a balanced budget and is debt-free. We are able to accomplish this with planning, partnerships and the expectation that growth pays its share for services. Meridian is a vibrant, selfsustaining community that is truly built for business and designed for living. Families are the core of our city, so we will continue to make this community one that is easy for them to call home – by in-
vesting in our parks, and creating a healthy environment for families. It’s remarkable to look at where we were and where we are today. The city has transformed, but our focus on our residents remains the same. We are always looking for new ways to hear from residents, whether it is at Town Hall meetings, Coffee with the Mayor events or on social media. I invite those who live in Meridian to get involved. You can always contact me at mayortammy@meridiancity.org or 489-0529. Our citizens are at the heart of our decisions as we continue moving Meridian forward.
Chamber of Commerce pushes onward By Anne Little Roberts CEO, MERIDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
T
he word “momentum” describes the Meridian Chamber of Commerce for the last three years. We have gathered momentum starting with becoming more focused on what our members want and in the process examined everything we did, but especially evaluating the value each program and event had for our members. Questionnaires were sent
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to members in early 2013 and mid-2014 to make sure we were focusing on members’ expectations. Events and programs that didn’t score well on a member survey were either replaced or transformed to meet members’ needs. Areas where our members were wanting more opportunities were enhanced, and new events and programs were created. The Meridian Chamber has always been a great place to network, but momentum was gathering as there was so much more to offer. We still do a lot of networking, but we focus on specific targeted areas.
MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
We’ve connected business owners with other business owners or senior level managers in order to discuss best practices. The Internet can provide you with information, but the Chamber provides the avenue to build relationships. Most recently we created a new Chamber sub-committee within the Economic Development Committee to bring together the Meridian Chamber, the Meridian Development Corporation and the city of Meridian to focus on working together and digging deeper into economic development, specifically being ready to support any new companies coming into the
area and to look at ways Meridian might come together to create a home for performing arts and larger events and meetings that we currently don’t have space for. The momentum continued to grow as the economy rebounded. The Meridian Chamber has gone from hard hat tours of The Village at Meridian to helping sometimes three businesses a week open with ribbon cuttings and fanfare. We have the privilege of helping many other businesses across Meridian meet their business goals through learning opportunities provided at our Chamber lunches and other events. We share the most up-to-date information
regarding legislation that can impact business and share best practices from other areas in order to set examples for our own area. The Meridian Chamber’s momentum was set in place by a Five Year Strategic Plan, created by our Board of Directors. Part of that strategic plan was to update the Chamber image, and we recently completed that project with the launch of our new logo. I think the portion of our new logo that shows the cityscape depicts it well. It shows our past, which we appreciate and value; today, which we treasure; and tomorrow that we dream about. The Meridian Chamber is well on a path to continue the momentum.
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COMMERCIAL GROWTH
Commercial growth picks up in Meridian Meridian could be by Holly Beech ian in years and was hailed as a prime excharacterized as a place and Zachary Chastaine that caters to commer- news@mymeridianpress.com ample of Meridian economic vibrancy cial growth and has © 2015 MERIDIAN PRESS by Mayor Tammy de been successful at fosWeerd during the 2015 tering it both with its successes on Eagle Road and its ef- State of the City address Feb. 4. De forts to bring new businesses to Ten Weerd said in 2014, there were 35 Mile Road as well as foster existing business openings at The Village. Clothing stores, kitchenware, furbusinesses everywhere in between. niture and décor, restaurants, movies and bowling are all things that The Village at Meridian can be found at The Village. The Village at Meridian is one of The Village is an open shopthe biggest developments in Merid- ping center complete with restau-
rants, a fountain show and ice skating in winter. The Village, unlike other existing shopping centers in the region, made waves with its unique look and outdoor spaces. Shoppers can wander from store to store with open sky and take refuge near fire pits in colder weather. The addition of The Village has recently forced downtown Meridian, just down the road, to consider new ways to attract businesses as well as younger generations of people. The city in turn has begun making efforts to cultivate small businesses.
One initiative to help cultivate business in Meridian is the New Ventures Lab. A joint project among the West Ada School District and The Meridian Chamber of Commerce, the New Ventures Lab hopes to create an ecosystem of commerce within the community and help build up young entrepreneurs. The project's goal is to develop businesses in lacking industry sectors such as entertainment and small locally owned companies.
Please see Commerce, page 7
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
COMMERCIAL GROWTH
Commerce: Business booms in Meridian Continued from page 6
New commercial territory Eagle Road in Meridian is home to some of the city's largest businesses, such as Scentsy, a fragrance company that makes and sells home and personal fragrance products, including its flagship product, scented, wickless candles heated in decorative ceramic warmers. But the growth on Eagle Road will soon be limited by space. Commercial real estate specialist Jeffrey Hall with Cushman and Wakefield said Ten Mile Road just 4 miles west of Eagle Road will be the new commercial hotspot. The city of Meridian is ready for more growth, and its vision for Ten Mile Road includes plans for residential construction as well as spaces for business in a mixed-use area that will get away from the common strip mall structure of urban growth. The hope is by creating a visually pleasing and unique place for businesses and residents alike, the Ten Mile area can become something different and provide value for businesses that come to the area. Director of the Meridian Community Development Department Bruce Chatterton said the plan is to create an urban village. Some examples in the Treasure Valley are Bown Crossing and Hyde Park in Boise, and The Village at Meridian. “We try to promote these as alternatives to the normal sort of sprawl that we might otherwise get,” Chatterton said. He said multi-family homes will provide residential options for people with easy access to the interstate, and, in some cases, create opportunities for people to be able to walk to work. “Because some of the major property owners are in on it they helped develop this as well,” Chat-
terton said. “The idea is to not look just like a sea of parking with some big commercial boxes in the background.” Chatterton said the goal of the city was to regulate development with enough flexibility for developers to be able to do well. When a company such as a retailer comes to the area, they often do business with a property owner.
Medical industry growth Idaho State University's new anatomy and physiology lab at its Meridian Health Science Center is scheduled to open in summer of 2015. The facility will house the state's first bioskills learning center for training students and medical professionals from Idaho and across the region. Not having a facility like this has been an obstacle in training health students, professionals and even forensics experts, ISU President Arthur Vailas said at the lab's June 24 groundbreaking. The lab, named after Utah philanthropists L.S. “Sam” and Aline W. Skaggs, will allow ISU students to work with cadavers rather than watch the lessons over video streaming. The new facility also paves the way for ISU to expand its dentistry, physical therapy and occupational therapy programs to Meridian. “All (students) need basic science laboratories, and we haven't been able to expand these programs here,” said Linda Hatzenbuehler, vice provost for health sciences. Typically, many more students apply for ISU's health programs than there is room for, she said, so expanding programs will help meet the demand.
Please see Commerce, page 8
Meridian Press file photo
The Village at Meridian is located off Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue. Friday, February 27, 2015 | MOMENTUM
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COMMERCIAL GROWTH Commerce Continued from page 7
Up-and-coming health professionals — those still in high school — will also benefit. Using the Idaho Education Network, ISU will stream health science lessons from the A&P lab to high school classrooms across the state. “It is very, very important, not only to the Treasure Valley but also all of Idaho,”
Vailas said. The $4 million facility, located within ISU-Meridian's existing building, will be 8,000 square feet and have 12 gurney stations. Half of construction was to be funded through the Idaho Legislature and half through private donations — including from the Skaggs' charitable trust, the ALSAM Foundation.
NEW A&P LAB What: L.S. and Aline W. Skaggs Treasure Valley Anatomy and Physiology Laboratories Where: Idaho State University Meridian Health Science Center n Construction: Began in late June n Size: 8,000 square feet, 12 gurney stations n
MP file photo
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
THINGS TO DO
Activity in Meridian Meridian is host to many things to do, especially outdoors with a wide range of activities for kids and adults. But Meridian is looking by Zachary Chastaine to add even and Holly Beech news@mymeridianpress.com more things for residents © 2015 MERIDIAN PRESS to enjoy in coming years as it looks to expand existing services and bolster its performing arts scene.
Goals are simply dreams with work boots on. Thank you, Meridian, for choosing ESI and Express. We are proud to call Meridian home.
Parks and Recreation Residents and visitors to Meridian have a lot of options when it comes to parks to visit with the family or sports to play during all four seasons of the year. The Meridian Parks and Recreation Department offers a robust line of 19 mens, womens and co-ed sports programs and over 244 acres of developed park land that have a variety of amenities including fishing ponds, playgrounds and more. Although the vast majority have at least a playground for kids, some, such as Settler's Park also have water features that are active in the summer.
Please see To Do, page 10
MP file photo
David Lund, of Meridian, bikes along a path near Tully Park April 11 in Meridian. "There needs to be more paths," said Lund.
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THINGS TO DO To Do Continued from page 9
It also features horseshoe strips where horseshoe players can get their game on. Others, like Kleiner Park, are home to new features such as a band shell. There are 6.8 miles of trails that connect the city's neighborhoods and many connect to parks and schools. Each season has a host of sports options available. In the summer, people can sign up for volleyball. In the spring, softball is available, and in winter there is basketball as well as other offerings like flag football and dodgeball. Director of Meridian Parks and Recreation Steve Siddoway said the department tries to have sports, and other activities for people available year-round. The city also puts out seasonal activity guides that contains dozens of other activities including yoga, martial arts courses and dance classes. The guides try to provide seasonal offerings for residents and include the times, locations and cost of each activity.
A blossoming performing arts scene The future of performing arts in Meridian has taken an interesting twist with a recent proposal to develop a portion of the old downtown area as a performing arts center. The project, titled the Meridian Multiuse Center, is one that Meridian City Councilman Charlie Rountree said offers more than just an idea and a desire. Instead, it takes a real look at the potential cost and potential impact that a project could bring to the area. Regional performing arts groups such as Ballet Idaho, The Idaho Shakespeare Festival and the Boise Philharmonic as well as Meridian's own Meridian Symphony have expressed interest in using the possible performing arts space in downtown Meridian. Sean Garretson with Pegasus Planning and Development, who was one of the presenters of the proposal on Feb. 3, said the new facility has a potential to bring in millions of dollars in economic impact. It can create jobs which Garretson said, if the city chose to follow the model of other similar projects, could even be partially staffed by college students. If built and completed, the new performing arts center could be home to the Treasure Valley Children's Theater based in Meridian as well as other performing groups. Presently Meridian does have a handful of performing arts venues and shows. The budding performance arts scene in Meridian has taken steps in the past, one of them being the opening of Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park north of The Village in 2012. Kleiner Park is home to an outdoor band shell where shows are played.
Please see To Do, page 11
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
Above: Sports programs are just some of the activities available for all ages around Meridian. (Photo by Bill Cox/courtesy Meridian Parks and Recreation Department.) Below: Trenton Day, 17, of Meridian, takes his dog Roxy for a run while he skateboards on a path at Tully Park Friday, April 11 in Meridian. (Adam Eschbach/MP)
THINGS TO DO Norrin Shearer, of Meridian, putts during on one of the 18 holes at Meridian's first Disc Golf Classic Oct. 11 at Kleiner Park. Meridian doesn't have a year-round disc golf course but there are several winter courses. MP file photo
To Do Continued from page 10
Connecting the city by pathway Meridian has almost 26 miles of pathways, which the city and residential developers have built in the past 15 years. But most of the paths are fragmented in short, unconnected sections throughout the city. In recent years, the parks department has created a comprehensive pathways plan, with an overall goal is to create a path that loops around the city and connects with Meridian’s future Aldape Park along the Boise River to the north. There, Meridian’s pathway system could potentially connect with pathways in Eagle and Boise.
QUALITY & VALUE
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But projects will have to be completed as funding allows. The city went through a two-year drought with no new paths. After saving up, the parks department was able to build a new 3/4-mile section of pathway along Five Mile Creek that opened in August, connecting the Bridgetower Subdivision to Linder Road. Sometimes the city doesn’t have to pay for new paths. In recent years, city planners have begun to coordinate with subdivision developers for the building of new paths. This helps developers meet their required number of amenities, and it doesn’t cost the city anything. Getting approval from property owners to build a path on their land can be a challenge, Gibbons said. When the city does build a pathway, it’s typically along an irrigation canal, because the city works with the irrigation districts to be able to use their property.
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SCHOOLS
Meridian school district gets new name Idaho's largest school district went through two big changes in 2014. Joint School District No. 2 — commonly referred to as the “Meridian school district” — got a new name and a new brand. Trustees approved the name to West Ada School District in June to better represent the six cities that the district serves. Only about 50 percent of the more than 36,000 students in the district live within Meridian city limits, according to district spokesman Eric Exline. Exline and another co-worker rebuilt the website and designed a new
district logo. The district hasn't re- start — Cascade and the district took placed signs on its headquarters yet hundreds of calls from frustrated — it hopes to get that service donated and concerned parents in the first — and it will replace lettwo weeks regarding terhead as it runs out. late buses and kinderby Holly Beech garten busing confuAround the same and Zachary Chastaine time as the name news@mymeridianpress.com sion. change, the district © 2015 MERIDIAN PRESS The contract will turned over its busing save the district an program to a national estimated $15.8 milcompany in June. The district signed lion over the next five years, and it ala five-year, $47.9 million contract lowed kindergarten busing to return, with Cascade Student Transporta- according to Exline. tion, which kept many of the disAfter the five years, Cascade will trict's 340 transportation employees. own the district's 134 buses. But if The school year got off to a rough the district isn't happy with the ar-
rangement after the first year, it can opt out and still keep all the buses, trustee Anne Ritter said last summer.
In-school healthcare For Meridian students whose parents work the same hours as a doctor’s office, going to the emergency room might be the only time they see a doctor. That’s why the Meridian Schools Clinic opened — to serve students who don’t have a family doctor or access to health care.
Please see School, page 13
MP file photo
Lake Hazel Middle School students arrive to school at the West Ada School District school Jan. 12. The school is using 11 portable classrooms to deal with over-capacity issues.
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
SCHOOLS
School
care they need sooner, and the parents’ impact at work is decreased,” she said. “It would take them weeks on a waiting list to see a doctor, perhaps.” With the quicker access to care, contagious diseases are getting nipped in the bud, she said. At the start of the school year, the clinic provided immunizations and wellness exams to more than 100 students. The clinic started some garden planters this year as a therapeutic activity for the kids, she said.
Continued form page 12
Dental care and nutritional education are also available. The clinic, based in a refurbished portable at Meridian Elementary School, is open to students during the school day. With parents’ permission, students can walk over to the clinic, or, if they’re from one of five off-site target schools, they can ride the Boys and The future of the district Girls Club bus. Within its first few months, the clinic The West Ada School District is the had already improved the health of lo- largest school district in the state of cal students, West Ada School District Idaho, and its growth shows no signs of Health Services Coordinator Colene slowing down. Letterle said. “The kids are getting the medical Please see School, page 14
MP file photo
The West Ada School District has approximately 270 school buses.
MISSION - The Meridian Library District supports our community by enriching lives, igniting curiousity and cultivating connections.
SERVICE TO YOUTH
SERVICE TO ADULTS
www.mld.org
• Serves youth 0-18 years old with over 100 programs each month. • Collaborates on partnerships throughout the community to create literacy opportunities. • Assists teachers, daycare providers, homeschool families and students in finding curriculum aligned materials. • Spaces that encourage young children to read, write, talk, sing, and play developing all the early literacy skills needed to prepare them to be ready to read.
• Ongoing book clubs in a variety of genres. • Book a librarian services for one-on-one assistance. • Business, genealogy, language learning, career and educational test prep databases.
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• Offers a diverse collection of materials including books, music, DVDs, video games and digital devices including early literacy iPads and Leapster Explorers. • Access to digital books, audiobooks, print and digital magazines.
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help@mld.org www.mld.org (208)888-4451 Meridian Library at Cherry Lane (208)884-2616 Meridian Library at Silverstone facebook.com/meridianlibrary twitter.com/MeridianLibrary meridianlibrary.tumblr.com www.youtube.com/user/MeridianLibDistrict
Meridian Library District 3 locations - Main, Silverstone, Bookmobile
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SCHOOLS
School Continued from page 13
In the coming years, Exline said the school district could become one of the 100 largest in the entire United States. In some estimates, Exline said it is possible to imagine the school district with around 75,000 students, and these estimates, he said, are conservative. To help accommodate this, Exline said the school district will ultimately need to build more schools to keep up with growth. The district is already facing an overcrowding problem, and it has been attempting to accommodate students by use of portable, temporary classrooms. Exline said the flow of new students fluctuates, and during the 2008 recession the number of students coming into the district dipped from about 1,000 new students a year to 400. For a few years, the growth into the district was slow. The last bond to pay for schools was passed nine years ago, and the final construction project by the district was Rocky Mountain High School. Now Exline said the number of new students is returning to approximately 1,000 per year. The student population is expected to grow because the number of people living in the Treasure Valley and generating children is expected to increase
What the school clinic offers
n Treatment of minor acute injury and illness n Well-child exam n Sports physicals n Immunizations n Routine lab tests n Management of chronic illness n Behavioral and mental health assessment and treatment n Referral for drug and alcohol assessment and treatment n Health education and health promotion n Medications and/or prescriptions for medications n Referral to specialist, when necessary n Fluoride varnish
to as many as 75,000 children in coming years. According to the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho's 25-year long-term plan, the general population of Meridian is expected to shoot from 83,786 (the 2010 population) to 154,780 in 2040.
MP file photo
Students fill the halls of Lake Hazel Middle School at the beginning of the school day at the West Ada School District school that is dealing with over-capacity issues.
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
INFRASTRUCTURE
City's infrastructure constantly improving
Highway 16 Bridge opens and connects State Street to Chinden Boulevard. Photo courtesy of Leo A. Geis
The city of Meridian's infrastructure is a con- by Holly Beech stantly adapting and growing network of roads, news@mymeridianpress.com services and innovation meant to keep the peo- © 2015 MERIDIAN PRESS ple of Meridian moving and safe from danger.
Roadwork in Meridian Idaho’s second busiest interchange at Meridian Road and Interstate 84 is undergoing an extensive remodel. Construction on the $50.8 million project began in April and is slated to wrap up later this year.
Please see Growth, page 16
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INFRASTRUCTURE Growth Continued from page 15 The almost 50-year-old bridge had been supporting more than 130,000 vehicles a day — 115,000 more than when it was built. When the rebuild is finished, the Meridian Road Interchange will look like the Ten Mile and Vista interchanges, which are called Single-Point Urban Interchanges, or SPUIs. Those interchanges are better suited to handle heavy traffic loads, Idaho Transportation Department spokesman Reed Hollinshead said. Plus, Meridian Road will be safer for pedestrians and cyclists with new sidewalks, bike lanes and a crosswalk signal. Once off the freeway, motorists encounter Meridian's split corridor entering into downtown Meridian. The split corridor was completed in 2013. Meridian Road parallels Main Street, and both
are north-south routes through downtown Meridian. The redesign widened Meridian Road for through-traffic, allowing Main Street to be more pedestrian and cyclist friendly. The new roads will allow for downtown growth and improve transportation for current businesses and residents, Mayor Tammy de Weerd said. It also improved safety with lighting and sidewalks along Meridian Road. Another major project included the construction of a new section of Idaho Highway 16 — the so-called “Emmett Highway” — opened Aug. 15, 2014. The 2.5-mile stretch from State Street to Chinden Boulevard is western Ada County’s first new Boise River crossing in more than 20 years. Legislators and transportation officials have worked toward this accomplishment for almost a decade. Construction began in May 2012 and cost
$39 million, but the total price tag — including environmental studies and right-of-way purchases — came to $111.1 million.
Expansion of public safety and public works The Meridian Police Department has outgrown its space, officials say. With double the employees it had in 2002, classrooms and offices are cramped. Finding places for shooting practice is also a challenge, as residential growth has caused some of the Treasure Valley’s outdoor shooting ranges to close, Meridian Police Lt. Jamie Leslie said. The police department’s original vision was to build a shooting range.
Please see Growth, page 17
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The Meridian Split Corridor gives drivers the option of continuing on North Main Street or turning left onto North Merdian Road.
Growth Continued from page 16
But a business study conducted in 2011 revealed a more pressing need for a cross-agency training facility, Leslie said. The new facility, set to open in August 2015, will allow police, fire and public works to train together. Phase one costs about $5.4 million, most of which the city has saved
up over time. Phase one also includes a remodel of the existing police headquarters to add more office space. Building an indoor range will allow Meridian Police officers more scheduling flexibility and will eliminate concerns about residential growth — a concern the Boise range has run into with neighboring homes. 1238647
Please see Growth, page 18 Friday, February 27, 2015 | MOMENTUM
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INFRASTRUCTURE Growth Continued from page 17 In 2014, the city of Meridian raised utility rates for residents and sewer hook-up fees for developers to pay for upgrades and expansions at the wastewater treatment plant, which is off North Ten Mile Road. The city estimates that over the next 10 years, it will need to invest $179 million into the plant. Almost half will go toward improving wastewater quality, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has passed stricter standards in an effort to clean up the Boise River. As of December 2013, Public Works oversaw 470 miles of water line, 386 miles of sewer line and 6 miles of recycled water line.
In 2014, a new three-story administration building opened at the treatment plant, along with more laboratory space. The old admin building was repurposed into an operations and collections building. The project cost about $6.35 million.
Saturday fun bus Last summer, the city of Meridian and Valley Regional Transit started a Saturday bus route throughout the city. The route is a step in the right direction, but there’s more work to do, Meridian City Councilman David Zaremba said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new route Sept. 3.
Adam Eschbach/MP
Construction on the new administrative and interpretive building at the Meridian WastePlease see Growth, page 19 water Treatment Facility.
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Meridian's new Saturday bus route debuted over Labor Day weekend, and the community celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Meridian City Hall.
Growth Continued from page 17
“We have managed to make a first step — and it’s a modest one, but it’s exciting,” he said. Meridian pitched in $60,000 from the general fund for the new route this year, which was matched by federal dollars.
The new route, managed by Valley Regional Transit, runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. One bus runs clockwise (Route 35A) and another bus runs counterclockwise (Route 35 B) on a roughly one-hour loop through the city. There’s no fare for the first year. Zaremba hopes the route is so well-used that it shows a need for a weekday route. Currently, Meridian’s only weekday bus ser-
vices are inter-county routes between Nampa and Boise. “Our goal and our plan is to build up ridership in this new route and continue to study mobility and transit needs in the city of Meridian,” he said. Twenty-one people used the route on its first day Aug. 30, VRT spokesman Mark Carnopis said. That number might have been higher had it not been Labor Day weekend, he said.
“
Our goal and our plan is to build up ridership in this new route and continue to study mobility and transit needs in the city of Meridian." DAVID ZAREMBA Meridian City Councilman Friday, February 27, 2015 | MOMENTUM
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HISTORY
Meridian: From agriculture to infrastructure Meridian's roots as a rural agriculture town seem like a far cry from the rapidly growing place it is today. With the help of Meridian historian Lila Hill and the Meridian Historical Society, let's take a look back at what Meridian used to be.
A changing landscape Meridian began as an agricultural community with farming and dairy as the mainstays of the city's industry. Hill said by Zachary Chastaine the area was rural and and Holly Beech people made their livenews@mymeridianpress.com lihoods on the farms. © 2015 MERIDIAN PRESS Hill said people would grow their produce and sell it downtown. Photos of this historical Meridian can be found at the Meridian Historical Society, which is housed on the first floor Meridian City Hall. Meridian, sitting between neighbors Boise and Nampa, was a was a tiny place. Riley Moffatt, author of “Population History of Western U.S. Cities and Towns,” put the population of Meridian back in 1910 at just 200 people. It grew slowly from decade to decade until the 1990s when the population was closer to 10,000. Soon the population rocketed and in 2010 the U.S. Census Bureau put the population of Meridian at close to 75,000. As of 2013, Meridian had 83,596 residents, and that number is projected to possibly double in just 25 years. In 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau said of the 151,671 businesses in Idaho, 8,078 resided in Meridian. Far removed from the agriculture society of previous decades, Meridian is now dominated by larger companies which call the city home. Companies like Scentsy and The Blue Cross of Idaho are headquartered here, and it is home to state organizations like the Idaho State Police.
McFadden Building Downtown Meridian's McFadden building, which in its prime was a bank and a grocery store, was demolished in November 2014.
Photo courtesy Meridian Historical Society
Top: Downtown Meridian in the city's early days. Directly above: The McFadden building in downtown Meridian was, in its prime, Please see History, page 21 a bank and grocery store.
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
HISTORY History
The centuryold McFadden building on the corner of East Broadway Avenue and East Second Street was demolished last week. In its prime the building housed a bank and a grocery store. There are no immediate plans for development on the lot.
Continued from page 20 The more than 100-year-old building on the corner of East Broadway Avenue and East Second Street still belongs to the McFadden family, said the family's real estate broker Scott Nicholson with Boise Valley Commercial Real Estate. The city was able to save the historic McFadden sign before the 10,500-square-foot, two-story building was reduced to a pile of bricks and rubble. The lot will be empty until a developer with an idea comes along, Nicholson said. According to Hill, the building was constructed in the early 1900s. The McFadden family later purchased part of the building and opened the McFadden Market. That's been closed now for probably 35 years, Hill said.
Holly Beech/MP
Please see History, page 22
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HISTORY History
A view of Meridian back in 1909.
Continued from page 21
Photo courtesy Meridian Historical Society
The Meridian Exchange Bank occupied another portion of the building, and apartment units with fireplaces were used for a time in the second story, she said. The McFadden's bought the bank's side of the building after it closed in the 1940s, she said. It's been vacant ever since. The McFaddens sold the building to a developer in 2005, Nicholson said. But plans for a full-service grocery store and deli called the McFadden Market Co-op fell through. The building went into foreclosure during the recession, he said, and the McFaddens regained ownership.
Please see History, page 23
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HISTORY
Photos courtesy Meridian Historical Society
Above: Some of the schools of historic Meridian were small, and the children worked jobs they were given in the classrooms. Some schools housed only one classroom and multiple grade levels. Below: Trucks line up outside one of Meridian's dairy facility's. Much of the agriculture industry of the past was focused on dairy products.
History Continued from page 22
A brief history of Meridian by the Meridian Historical Society Meridian’s earliest settlers lived along Five Mile Creek where there was running water most of the year. The first school opened in 1885. The U.S. Postal Service soon established a mail drop along the railroad line. The center of activity began to move closer to the railroad as the trading center. In 1893, an Order of Odd Fellows chapter was established and adopted the name “Meridian” for its lodge, in recognition of Idaho’s principle surveyor’s meridian, which runs along Meridian Road as it passes through town. The Interurban Electric Railway connected Meridian with other Treasure Valley towns in 1908 and provided convenient public transportation,
as well as a means for shipping milk to the creameries and hauling fruit to market. This convenience lasted until 1928. The original depot for the Interurban became the Meridian Public Library’s Old Town Branch which
closed in 2008. Meridian has been the fastest growing city in Idaho since 1994, with the population tripling between 1990 and 2000, and more than doubling between 2000 and 2007. It has become a
center of retail and commercial development in southwest Idaho. The city’s convenient access to Interstate 84, Highway 55 and the railroad combine to make it an ideal location for new businesses of many types.
Friday, February 27, 2015 | MOMENTUM
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LOOKING FORWARD
Plenty of growth in Meridian's future There seems to be little question that Meridian is going to grow, not only with the number of people but the community that they live in. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in Meridian will be able to go to one of the church's most important sites with the completion of a temple in Meridian and new homes to house the influx of residents are all on the horizon.
Meridian gets a temple More than 1,000 people gathered Aug. 23 in a dirt field near Meridian to dedicate ground for Idaho’s fifth Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day by Holly Beech Saints temple. Others and Torrie Cope celebrated remotely news@mymeridianpress.com from their church build© 2015 MERIDIAN PRESS ings. The site is on Linder Road, one-half mile north of Chinden Boulevard. Church members had been anticipating the groundbreaking ever since the temple was announced more than three years ago. The almost 66,000-square-foot temple, which reaches 120 feet at its highest peak (with a statue of the angel Moroni), will take about three years to complete. Though grandiose on the outside, temples do not resemble magnificent halls or cathedrals on the inside. They are not made for large gatherings or Sunday worship. Rather, they are filled with small meeting rooms for teaching and sacred ceremonies, including marriages and baptisms. The Meridian temple will serve thousands of church members, though the district boundaries have not been released. Currently, 106,000 members live within 50 miles of Boise, and 115,000 are part of the Boise Temple District, which covers parts of southwest Idaho and eastern Oregon. One in four Idahoans are members of the LDS church. Membership grew by 18.2 percent in the last decade — 2.5 percent faster than the population of Idaho at large.
More multi-family homes When the economy crashed, construction of apartments and townhouses skidded to a halt in Meridian. Top: Land was dedicated for an LDS temple in Meridian in August. (Rendering courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Directly above: New apartments are popping up all over Meridian, including The Fields at Gramercy, which opened in summer
Please see Future, page 25 of 2014 off Overland Road between Meridian and Linder roads. (MP file photo)
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
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Developers still built homes — Meridian issued more than 1,100 single-family permits in 2009 and 2010 — but no one applied to build an apartment or other multi-family structure during those dark years. Compare that to 2014, when almost half of Meridian’s residential building permits were issued for multi-family construction. “The market’s correcting at this point,” Meridian Community Development Director Bruce Chatterton said. Renters are scooping up almost all the rental space, driving developers to build hundreds of new apartment and townhouse units. In the first part of 2014, the rental vacancy rate, including single-family homes for rent, was as low as 1.4 percent. “For a while in any given neighborhood, there were plenty of single-family homes to rent ... and that’s dried up,” Chatterton said. As of Sept. 1, developers have applied to build almost 250 multi-family units in Meridian and more than 500 single-family homes. With few vacancies and an uptick in demand, the cost to rent is rising. In the second quarter of 2014, the average multi-family rent in Ada County was $770, compared to $710 during the first quarter. One- and two-bedroom units drove much of the price increase, according to the National Association of Residential Property Managers Southwest Idaho Chapter’s quarterly report. In some new apartments that are marketed as luxury, rents hover above $1,000.
MP file photo
Apartment construction went through a drought in Meridian in 2009 and 2010. Now, renters are hungry for options, and developers are responding by building hundreds of multi-family units.
Population growth 1990: 9,596 2000: 34,919 2010: 75,092 2013: 83,596 Growth, 1990-2013: 771 percent
Please see Future, page 26 Friday, February 27, 2015 | MOMENTUM
A25
LOOKING FORWARD
MP file photo
The ceremonial groundbreaking for the Interstate 84 Meridian Road Interchange included local, state politicians and local business owners and over 100 members of the public at the April ceremony. The project is expected to be completed in October and will include many improvements to ease traffic congestion.
Future
residents away from passing up Nampa as Idaho’s second largest city. With a growth rate of 4 percent, Meridian was the 10th fastest growing city in the country from 2012 to Continued from page 26 2013, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report released in May. The city, Fast growing population which is almost eight times the size In 1990, Nampa was three times it was in 1990, has a population of the size of Meridian. Now, the neigh- 83,596. boring cities’ populations are neck and neck, and Meridian is only 3,000 Please see Future, page 27
“
You see a lot of references to the city growing a lot, or 'third largest,' 'second largest' city. That's nothing necessarily to celebrate, unless it's a byproduct of delivering ... services the right way, keeping focused on the right thing." JOE BORTON Meridian City Councilman
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
Photo illustration by Greg Kreller and Randy Lavorante/MP
Future Continued from page 26
Population growth in itself isn’t something to celebrate or strive for; the reason for growth is what measures success, Meridian City Councilman Joe Borton said. “You see references to the city growing a lot, or ‘third largest,’ ‘fifth largest,’ ‘second largest’ city. That’s nothing necessarily to celebrate, unless it’s a byproduct of delivering ... services the right way, keeping focused on the right thing,” he said. Successful growth, Borton said, is when people choose to live in Meridian because of its
LOOKING FORWARD safe environment, cultural and economic diversity and recreational opportunities. “The fact that we’ve had such an influx of new residents is just a byproduct of keeping our eye on the prize,” Borton said. Landing on a national top 10 list does have its perks, Meridian economic development administrator Brenda Sherwood said. “It’s getting nationwide attention,” she said. “It’s great from a marketing perspective.” Any spotlight on Meridian draws people’s attention to the investments that are being made in the city.
Rendering courtesy of Cole Architects
Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County is raising money to build a new gym at its Meridian Clubhouse and expand the teen center and learning center. The clubhouse has a long waiting list and not enough room for its members. Cole Architects of Boise has donated its services for the project.
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The 185,000-square-foot facility will include 12 multi-purpose competition surfaces for multiple sports as well as a 3,200-seat arena.
Meridian looks to Sportsplex; brings in visitors with corn mazes Eagle Road can add another major development to its resume: Sportplex Idaho's new $40 million sports arena and education center. The Sportsplex Idaho facility is one of the new additions to Meridian coming in the future. The nonprofit announced the location Sept. 12 at a gala at Boise State University. The 18-acre site is east of Eagle Road and south of Ustick Road, near Rosauers Supermarket and Gold's Gym. “When you look at the Valley, there's such a need for (gym) space all over. You want it to be as centrally located as possible,” said Sportsplex Idaho founder Carson Sofro, a by Holly Beech news@mymeridianpress.com former professional basketball player and found© 2015 MERIDIAN PRESS er of local youth basketball clinics. Gyms all over the Treasure Valley are maxed out as youth and adult sports leagues expand. The rising need drove Sofro to make plans to build a new gym. But he didn't stop there. More than a year ago, Sofro teamed up with influential people, founded Sportsplex Idaho and created a vision for a 185,000-squarefoot facility for sports, events and student mentorship. The complex is slated to open by summer of 2016. “We're excited that the location is in Meridian, which will serve the entire region,” Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd said. “It's an exciting project and it will answer a great need.” Sportplex Idaho's goal is to open doors for kids of all income levels and athletic abilities to succeed in sports and in school, Sofro said.
Please see Attractions, page 29
ATTRACTIONS
Submitted rendering
The Sportsplex is planned for an 18-acre site on the east side of Eagle Road north of The Village at Meridian.
Attractions Continued from page 28
“This isn't being done for any specific purpose except to benefit the community and help the kids,” he said. Sportsplex Idaho plans to fund the facility through partnerships and revenue streams, such as leasing the arena for events, concerts and tournaments. There will also be retail and office space for lease. “What people want to see when they're looking at giving is that capital projects can sustain themselves, and that's something that this model does have,” she said. After talking with stakeholders and community leaders for the last year and a half, Sofro said he's
confident the facility is in high demand and will be widely used. It will be the first training and competition venue of its kind in the country, he said. Along with 12 competition surfaces for sports such as basketball, volleyball and lacrosse, the center will have a 3,200-seat arena for state championships and large events. An attractive venue for regional or even national tournaments will help shine the spotlight on local athletes who want to be college stars, Sofro said. Sportsplex Idaho named Meridian as a top contender for the facility because of its central location.
FEATURES 12 multi-purpose competition surfaces, for sports including basketball, volleyball, soccer and lacrosse n 3,200-seat arena for events such as concerts, graduations, state championships and conventions n 185,000 square feet n 18 acres n Fitness center n Educational wing, including classrooms, a computer lab, a learning center and tutoring opportunities n Full-service sports medicine and rehabilitation suite n Office and retail opportunities n
Please see Attractions, page 30 Friday, February 27, 2015 | MOMENTUM
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ATTRACTIONS Attractions Continued from page 29
Good old fashioned corn maze The Farmstead in Meridian—one of the oldest mazes in the country— was named by USA Today's as one of the nation's top 10 corn mazes fall 2013. The 18-acre maze was founded in 1997, and it's now owned by the Lowe family, who farms 350 acres in Meridian and Kuna. Jim Lowe designs and cuts the mazes himself. “I tell everybody it’s a lot of walking in circles and scratching your head,” he said with a chuckle. “When it comes down to it, it’s a lot of hard work, just like everything in life. … But when you actually see it with your own eyes, it’s always very satisfying.” Another popular fall attraction in Meridian is Linder Farms, which opened 11 years ago. Each year, Linder Farm’s the 15-acre maze design is inspired by Boise State University football. Linder Farms partners with Zombie Acres, which puts on bus tours through a zombie-infested cornfield. Riders are equipped with paintball guns. Linder Farms co-owner Randy Feist said the maze sees about 50,000 guests each year. Both Linder Farms and The Farmstead offer scary mazes for thrill-seekers, kid-friendly mazes for families and medium-difficulty mazes for those looking for a challenge. But navigating the trails is only half the fun. There are games for kids, pumpkin patches and lots of tempting fall treats. “We hope that people come and really walk away with a memory,” Lowe said, “and we know that food and smells and sounds and feel all make those memories.”
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MOMENTUM | Friday, February 27, 2015
The Farmstead corn at the southeast corner of the Eagle Road Interchange. The theme last year paid tribute to 75th anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz." Holly Beech/MP
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