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Key partnership will help school build downtown Boise campus
IBR STAFF//April 11, 2025//
This rendering shows what the downtown Boise CWI campus would look like upon completion (ILLUSTRATION: Hummel Architects/CWI)
Key partnership will help school build downtown Boise campus
IBR STAFF//April 11, 2025//
Key Highlights
- CWI partners with Ahlquist Development for downtown Boise campus
- New facility to offer courses in computer science, cybersecurity, and business
- Campus will anchor a mixed-use site with housing, hotel, and retail
- Scheduled for completion in fall 2027, totaling 101,000 sq. ft.
A partnership with a major Idaho developer will help one school better serve its students in one location.
The College of Western Idaho‘s board of trustees recently approved a public-private partnership between the school and Ahlquist Development to develop a campus on 10.3 acres CWI owns in the downtown Boise area.
Once built on the property located at the intersection of Whitewater Park Boulevard and Main Street, the new campus will offer courses in computer science, cybersecurity and business. CWI stated that centralizing its classes in Ada County will also allow it to “vacate its leased facilities” in the county.
“It is an honor to work with CWI in creating a place where students and our community will benefit from a mixed-use environment anchoring Boise’s west end of downtown,” said Tommy Ahlquist, CEO of Ahlquist Development. “This unique riverfront property will bring vibrancy and commerce in an accessible setting off the connector and along existing public transportation routes.”
Along with classrooms and other educational facilities, the property will have residential units, a hotel and retail spaces, all developed by Ahlquist. Hummel Architects and ESI Construction have partnered with the developer and school to design and build the new facility.
“We’re excited to take this important step forward,” said Gordon Jones, president of CWI. “This project will be a catalyst for creating opportunity, supporting local employers, and providing our students with the environment they need to succeed.”
The CWI building is slated to be completed and open by fall of 2027, and will be 101,000 square feet in size.
“This investment represents our vision for a stronger, more connected future,” said Jim Reames, chair of the board of trustees. “It’s a win for students, for employers and for the community.”
CWI stated that the expansion is “a timely response” to meet the needs of the population growth and workforce development and postsecondary education needed to match that growth.
