BOISE, Idaho — The City of Boise announced that it will start reopening some of its in-person services next Monday.
Starting February 1, Boise will expand its offerings at many city facilities, but health protocols to protect people from COVID-19 will be observed.
City officials say they have seen a slowdown in the spread of the virus in the community and that's enough to offer limited services.
"We have seen a steady hold in cases the last couple weeks and our city is here to serve the public," Mayor Lauren McLean said.
Residents are strongly encouraged to conduct their business online whenever possible or schedule appointments, but in-person services will be available for those who need this type of access.
"What we are trying to do is provide services that couldn't be offered virtually, that are important for our citizens," said city spokesman Seth Ogilvie.
Anyone entering a city facility will be required to wear a face-covering that properly covers the mouth and nose and maintain appropriate physical distance from others.
"They will be asked to follow all of the COVID protocols that you would normally expect - they're going to have to wear a mask, they're going to have to socially distance they're going to have to go through those things and make appointments so we don't have a bunch of folks there all at once," Ogilvie said.
One of the locations to expand in-person services is the Boise Public Library. Director Jessica Dorr said they have been able to provide curbside pickup, access to computers, and online services since the beginning of the pandemic. She said for many, in-person library services are essential.
"We have seen people come to our library and use our services to apply for jobs, look for unemployment, look for housing and we know exactly how critical those services are," Dorr said. "Our staff has missed having our community in our buildings, we are really looking forward to having you back and whenever it is safe, continue to add those services".
The library will begin in-person browsing services on February 8.
Here's a list of locations and services that will be open to the public:
City Hall
Open starting February 1, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, for in-person services including:
- City Clerk's Office
- Utility Billing Services
- Planning and Development Services
City Hall West
Front Desk/Lobby: Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday
Boise Public Library
Libraries will open for limited in-person services starting Feb 8. In-person services include:
- Collection browsing
- Hold pick-up (also available curbside)
- Account assistance and reference services (also available over the phone)
Downtown Library
Open Monday – Friday, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Neighborhood Branch Libraries (Bown Crossing, Cole & Ustick, Collister and Hillcrest)
Open Wednesdays, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Curbside Service Hours (All locations):
- Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Computer Access and Printing
Available at Downtown Library, Cole & Ustick and at Hillcrest
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Computer access available at the Library at Bown Crossing and the Library at Collister during in-person service hours: Wednesdays, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Administration Office
Starting February 1
Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday to assist residents with park reservations, cemetery services, class registration and more.
Fort Boise Community Center
Starting February 1
Open for limited programming by pre-registration
Lobby, fitness center and gym remain closed
Foothills Learning Center
Starting February 1
Open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
Boise Urban Garden School
Starting February 1
Open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
Boise Airport
Access restrictions remain in place at the Boise Airport terminal for the protection of travelers and airport employees
Facilities That Will Remain Closed
- Boise Depot
- Dick Eardley Senior Center (Meals on Wheels curbside lunch pickup is available)
- Idaho IceWorld
- James Castle House
- Boise WaterShed (The outdoor River Campus is open, but the indoor exhibition center remains closed)
- Boards and Commissions
Public Meetings
Boise City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Design Review, and Historic Preservation will continue to have meetings in a hybrid meeting setting – offering both remote and in-person attendance opportunities.
Per the governor's Stage 2 public health order, in-person attendance will be limited to no more than 10 people, including city staff and others that must be present for the meeting.
Members of the public are encouraged to participate virtually when possible. Other boards and commissions can meet if deemed necessary by the mayor and department director or as otherwise legally required.