BOISE, Idaho — Plans are moving forward to put in a permanent substation in downtown Boise for the Boise Police Department. This would give the department more presence in the area where most of their calls are coming from.
The new sub-station is going to go on Fairview Avenue and 18th Street. Right now, Lucky Dog Tavern sits there but it will close down sometime between October and January. The City of Boise closed on the deal to buy the property back in November of last year, giving the owners nine months to a year to close.
City staff provided an update to City Council at their work session meeting on Tuesday night. Staff showed the council some of the design aspects to it right now. The plan would be to close off the western entrance into the property from Fairview Avenue and construct a new entrance that gives access to and from 18th Street.
The design also includes a plaza and open area in front of the sub-station, but that area could be used for possible expansion in the future.
The department has around 20 to 30 officers working in just the downtown area, but they don't have a nearby station to go to. Most of their shift is spent either on their bikes or in their vehicles.
This sub-station would give them that home base per se and Boise Police say this would help them serve the community better. The new substation would give the officers one place to work out of and it'll give the public a location where they know they can get help if they need it.
“So having officers that are present there that get to know the business owners and get to know the people that play and live down there and get to know the vulnerable populations down there, all that is important for officers here at Boise Police,” Tom Fleming, the lieutenant for the downtown micro-district, said.
One reason why the city liked this location is it gives them a chance to expand, should the need to be there in the future. The city bought this property back in October 2018 for $1.15 million.
Boise Police said they picked this spot because it gives them easy access to the downtown core, the Greenbelt, certain parks, and Boise State University.
The next steps for the project include getting Planning and Zoning permits in August, finalizing the design in September, and putting it out to bid in October.
Construction is scheduled to take place in January through July of next year.