NAMPA -- The completion of Nampa's new library is almost here and around town there is a "buzz" among business leaders about the economic prosperity it will bring.
"We are really excited that it's all coming together," said Gardner Company CEO Tommy Ahlquist.
Wednesday, Ahlquist gave KTVB another inside look at the library and the surrounding commercial development adjacent to it.
Tenants for the two buildings are still in negotiations, according to Ahlquist, and as the project nears an end, he reflected on its struggles and victories.
'We had some slow activity initially on the retail and the office building which made us reassess when we wanted to go forward with the project," said Ahlquist. "We were able to work with the city, the city council and the mayor and work through those issues, and we are really pleased that we were able to do that, and pleased the buildings are on track and the project will be done."
It seems business owners in the downtown are pleased as well.
"It's brand new so anytime something is new that is great, it creates a lot of buzz," said Chris Strawn, President of the Nampa Downtown Business Association.
Strawn also owns the Whiskey River Bar in Nampa. He said there is an energy in the downtown corridor right now, something he knows others will rally behind.
"Right now, Nampa is the place to kind of be downtown," he said. "We have a great little community, we have great parking, we have a lot of really great shops…and it's great to finally see that after all years."
Strawn said there were 24 new business that came to the downtown in 2014. He believes this is the beginning of something huge.
"It will all finish like it was supposed to," Ahlquist said.
"Nampa is a great place to do business, it's a great place for people to come, there is so many people that live out there and work out here, so I think all of that momentum will be interesting to see in the years to come," he said.
The library opens to the public on March 14 at 9:30 a.m.
