Preservation Idaho Intern Savannah Willits explored the controversy surrounding Boise’s failed downtown mall, and it’s role in the larger story of Boise’s urban renewal and identity. The following is the first of a two part series of blogs resulting from Savannah’s research.
The Impact of Buildings Unseen
It is often the case that the shelters envisioned and destroyed can tell a more compelling story about our ever-changing fears, desires, and values, than the buildings that remain present. This could not be more true than in downtown Boise which has been radically reimagined and rebuilt several times over, mirroring the tumultuous ongoing conversation about Boise’s identity and future. The buildings not present, whether unrealized or destroyed, continue to have a lasting presence on the space & layout, economic development, and identity of the city today. They remain the buildings unseen.
A pivotal moment in Boise’s modern urban and identity development occurred during the urban renewal phase which bulldozed through the nation’s major metropolitan centers during the 1950s and 60s. In a true Boise fashion, in which national trends hit the city after a period of 10 to 20 years of delay, the first shudders of urban renewal were felt in 1965 and faded away by the mid-1980s.
The Self Guided Tour of the Mall Saga and Boise’s urban development can be explored in three parts.
Step 1:
Travel through the Mall Saga Timeline
"If things go on as they are, Boise stands an excellent chance of becoming the first American city to have deliberately eradicated itself.”
-Tearing Down Boise, L.J. Davis in Harper's Weekly November 1974
"It’s a question of context. A question of knowing who we are and where we come from. A question of our human identity. The megastructure is inhuman. Not only that, but it could be anywhere in the world”
-Arthur A. Hart, Director of the State Historical Museum quoted in Tearing Down Boise
“Four task forces were created by Winmar to give citizen input because their big covered mall met with lots of citizen disapproval. We were an interest group in that we were united in a common interest in wanting this to be a nice place. We had a community interest. We each had our own reasons for not liking the plan. Some were gung ho on historic preservation. Others would say if you want to tear that building down, fine with me.”
-Marilyn Schuler
“They talk about revitalizing downtown. Who are they revitalizing it for?”
-Gary Moncrief Professor of Political Science at Boise State, Jan 1984
Step 2:
Visit the Interactive GIS Map that shows existing and demolished buildings that were part of the Urban Renewal movement.
Step 3:
Watch the Decades Videos on Preservation Idaho’s video collection.
Continue with this series and read The Mall Saga Act 2 - Historical Counterfactual.