BOISE - A plan for new public transportation in Downtown Boise has been in the works for years now. With Boise growing as fast as it is, many downtown players say there's no time like the present.
Like in other growing cities, people want different transportation options to save them time and money. KTVB talked to local businesses and the city of Boise on how the proposed "T" Circulator would move people around, and move the economy forward.
Imagine being able to get from one side of downtown to the other quick and easy.
"I think Boise is ready for that," CLM Marketing and Advertising President Brad Surkamer, said.
A committee full of downtown employers such as St. Luke's and Idaho Power, as well as stakeholders like landlords and business owners, has been meeting since early 2014 to develop the project.
"It's an idea of moving people around," City of Boise spokesperson Mike Journee told KTVB, "allowing them to park once and be downtown and move around and do the things they need to do."
Journee says it's still too early to know exactly what the circulator will look like, but the committee is working on a couple options for this circulator. Those options are a street car rail system, a bus alternative, or no transit at all.
"[They're] weighing the costs, weighing the benefits," Journee added.
The proposed "T" would run along Idaho Street and Main Street from 15th Street up to 1st Street. Then it would run from 9th Street and Main Street. down to Boise State University, then up along Capitol Boulevard back to Main Street.
"Going from the bars to back home - back to BSU campus - you want to make sure that you're staying safe, that you're not running into people you shouldn't be running into, driving home drunk, getting a DUI," Boise State senior and The Brickyard employee Mckeghan Tackett said.
Some concern comes from businesses along the route and commuters who would be affected by all the construction the new transit would bring.
"It would probably kill businesses a little bit to be honest," a Goldy's employee told KTVB, "it would probably be harder to get here."
"Any time there's construction, there's disruption. And that's part of progress," Surkamer added.
There is also the question of where the money will come from for this permanent investment. Journee says the cost will depend on the alternative mode the committee chooses. He says there's federal and local money available - possibly from the city's parking revenue.
"Growth is here, it's coming," Journee said.
There will be more meetings with that committee when they come forward with a preferred mode of transportation, and then the community will be able to weigh in.
The committee is also discussing regional connectivity for the future; they are looking into a Boise Depot extension that would run on pre-existing tracks, as well as a route to the airport.
