New development for Nampa includes streamlined Wal-Mart

I live in Boise and don’t make it out to Nampa that often these days. However, as I took a quick drive through Idaho’s second largest city over the weekend, I was surprised (again) by all the development that is going on. With that, I figured it was time to put in a call to city planners and get an update on what is on tap in the near (and not so near) future.

First off, a modern and uniquely designed Wal-Mart is proposed near the intersection of South Middleton Road and Roosevelt Avenue. Plans for it have already been reviewed by Nampa’s Design Review Committee. Nampa Planning and Zoning Assistant Director Robert Hobbs told me the sleek, 42,000-square-foot store would contain a grocery store, but is smaller than traditional Wal-Marts in the Treasure Valley. Additionally, its look and feel would be different from that of the two other stores in Nampa.

Hobbs said the new store is more of a grocery store than a superstore: “This store is dressier, nicer.”

Of course, this project is still in the planning phase. Hobbs pointed out that building permits have not been issued, and five different designs will be submitted by Wal-Mart, before a final one is selected and approved by planners. Paths and walkways would connect the store to two other parcels nearby that will eventually be developed as well.

I put in a call to Wal-Mart’s media department for more details and am waiting to hear back.

Moving into downtown Nampa, Jan. 12 was the deadline for Request for Qualifications for the Library and “Pivot Block” Development. This 2.03-acre block plus an additional 1.0-acre block slated for redevelopment is along 12th Street in the historic district. Proposed redevelopment includes construction of a new 60,000- to 80,000-square-foot library and upward of 30,000 square feet of nearby retail space. An RFQ is the first step in what could be a multi-year process before construction might even begin. Due to the complexity of the entire project, with its intricate funding and detailed planning and approval process, groundbreaking could be in 2014.

Nampa Economic Development Assistant Director Beth Ineck explained to me that the Nampa Development Corporation will review the two RFQs that were submitted by firms that are no stranger to the Treasure Valley, Idaho, and beyond. One submission is from Gardner Company, the firm behind Meridian’s Portico, Nampa’s St. Luke’s Medical Plaza and of course Eighth and Main, formerly known as the Boise Hole. Gardner is also collaborating with ESI Construction and LCA Architects, both of Boise, and Horrocks Engineers of Utah.

The second RFQ is from Swisher Garfield Traub Development of Nevada, in collaboration with Layton Construction and Hummel Architects of Boise, and Architectural Nexus of Utah. Locally, Layton is responsible for the expansive Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello and before that, BSU’s Stueckle Sky Center, just to name a couple of their most recent projects.

Ineck said response from nearby business owners to the RFQ and future development possibilities has been positive.

“For the most part, [they] are excited to see what could happen in that part of downtown,” she said.

The brand new Nampa Public Safety Building, which just opened days ago, is an example of a project that followed this same process, starting with an RFQ. I am eager to keep tabs on the Library and “Pivot Block” Development. Just like what BoDo did for downtown Boise, redevelopment in Nampa’s core could transform a part of town that has amazing potential to attract people and new business.

Jennifer Gonzalez works at Alternate Energy Holdings in Eagle. Prior to that, she covered construction, real estate and development news for the Idaho Business Review. You can reach her by email at jennifergonzalez80@gmail.com or on Twitter @jenn_gonzalez.

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