News

February Happenings in the West End

February Board Meeting is Canceled

Several board members will not be available to meet on Feb 18, therefore the president canceled this month’s meeting. The board will reconvene in March with the following agenda:

  • Approve our bylaws update.
  • Review our financial report.
  • Start talking about NNO and work on an event plan.
  • Start our Annual Calendar

The board will explore a different location for our meeting in March and potentially into the future. Starting the week of Feb 24th, the board will start the search. Anyone would like to contribute his/her ideas, send an email to westendboise@gmail.com

Design Review – Finch on Fairview

February 12 at 6PM the garden apartment project at 170 S 28th Street. Listen as the architects and project team describe the 80-unit complex on this site. This meeting is the review and comment on the design. For more information about the plans submitted to the City of Boise: https://boisecityid.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=4862&MediaPosition=&ID=23337&CssClass=

Submit your vote – Fairview Playground

Boise Parks and Recreation is looking for neighborhood input for playground designs: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/fairview-playground.

You should have received a green postcard this week with information about the design proposals. Survey closes Saturday, February 22, at 5PM.

Any questions, email bpr@cityofboise.org.

Construction on Bannock Street

Have you seen those pesky orange cones on Bannock Street between 13th and 14th? There’s a project underway to rebuild Bannock Street. For more information about the project, check the Capital City Development Corp’s webpage.

January Happenings in the West End

Happy New Year!

Your West End board extends heartfelt wishes to you and your families a happy and healthy 2025!

The Signs are Here! The Signs are Here!

Have you seen the new West End Neighborhood street signs? It’s been a long journey and the WENA Board Members are excited to finally see the results of a multi-year effort and collaboration
between past and present Board members, our partners at the City of Boise (City), and Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to create an identity logo that represents our neighborhood and to add the logo to street signs at various entry points into our neighborhood.

Some history of our journey: WENA was initially awarded an identity kit grant in Summer 2020 to have local artist, Kelly Knop, create a logo based on what you, and all your neighbors, told us about your favorite qualities of living in the West End. A highlight of the logo project was learning that Kelly had grown up in the West End and that his creativity would reflect his many childhood experiences.

The new WENA logo debuted in June 2021 and quickly put to use at our community building events including HalloWENA and Bark in the Park. Then WENA received a neighborhood improvement grant from the City in August 2022 to build and install street signs of the new logo at sixteen locations in collaboration with ACHD.

Our Board members volunteered a lot of time to canvas the West End to decide the points of entry into our neighborhood that met baseline criteria, such as visibility, multimodal traffic routes, and proximity to city parks and schools. This project ended up having multiple points of contact for multiple tasks, which took two years to complete and trying everyone’s patience.

The new signs started to appear on street corners between Christmas and New Year’s. Perfect timing!
This project is a great example of the community building that can be created with vision,
community partner support, and the volunteer spirit and commitment of a neighborhood
association.

Do you have a project idea that would align with WENAs mission, which is to support safe
multimodal connectivity into and through the neighborhood, preserve and enhance our gorgeous tree canopy, and maximize neighborhood access to the outdoors? Please come share at the next board meeting!

WENA Board Meeting – January 21st at 6:30pm

The next board meeting will be at Casanova Pizza on Tuesday, January 21, at 6:30pm. Join us! The agenda is here.

Finch on Fairview – New Housing Project

A new garden apartment project is planned for the intersection of 27th and Fairview; it’s called Finch on Fairview. This project consists of 40 units in a two-phased construction project that will begin July 2025. 10 units are affordable housing.

View the design renderings here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FdhlNESGK8QCGM1ES7pmRFQ5o-NRiKoC

Architects will be presenting their design to the Design Review Commission in February.

More to come about this project.

December Happenings in the West End

Reminder – No December Board Meeting

The board is skipping a meeting this month and will return January 21, 2025.

Holiday Drive Seeks Donations

Board Member Katie Erley organized a donation drive for community members who could use help this holiday season. Bring your donations to 2321 W Madison Ave. from now until December 22. She will ensure donations are distributed to the The City Light Home for Women and Children.

WENA Drive 2024Download

For more information about possible donations that are needed, consider this list:

2024 General Hygiene Drive FlyerDownload

Neighbor Meeting for Proposed Housing Complex – December 16

The developer for a proposed 80-unit multi-family, affordable housing complex at 170 S 28th Street is required to hold a meeting with neighbors and business owners prior to submitting their plan for Design Review and Building Permit.

Meet Developer Patrick Boel at Clairvoyant Brewing on 2800 W Idaho Street from 6 to 8PM to view site plans and ask questions. For more information, contact Patrick either by phone (208.271.7281) or email (patrick@rndhouse.com).

Members of the WENA board will attend too.

Holiday Movies at The Egyptian Theater

Every December, The Egyptian shows Christmas favorites. Check out the schedule here.

City Events in December

Check out the City’s calendar of events December through January 2. You’re sure to find something that will get you in the holiday spirit.

Best Wishes for 2025!

November Happenings

WENA Board Meeting – November 19

Join the board on Tuesday, November 19, at 6:30PM at the Casanova Pizza on 2431 Fairview Ave. This is the board’s last 2024 meeting. Regular monthly meetings resume in January.

Agenda is here.

City Resources Page – New!

Check out the new page added to the West End’s website; it includes helpful phone numbers for City services and general rules for animals, fences, graffiti, noise, etc.

October Happenings

8th Street Survey – Sponsored by City Hall

Over the past few years, the City of Boise has worked with businesses, partner agencies and the community to create a pedestrian-friendly 8th Street including the expansion of restaurant patio seating and conversion to car-free space. Based on community feedback, the city will continue making improvements along 8th Street to enhance the safety and accessibility for all users while creating vibrant public space and business-friendly environment.

We want to hear from you! 

We’re seeking your input on shaping the next phase of improvements for 8th Street between Main and Bannock. Please take a moment to complete a quick survey and share your thoughts. Your feedback will help shape the design concept that will go in front of City Council later this year.

To learn more, visit: https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/planning-and-development-services/planning/designing-our-city/mobility-and-public-spaces/public-spaces-program/8thstreet/

Monthly Board Meeting – October 15 at 6:30PM

West End N.A. Board Meeting Agenda

October 15, 2024

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Casanova Pizza

6:30pm- Welcome to neighborhood members and attendees

6:35pm- Review and Approve Previous Meeting Minutes

  • August
  • No meeting in September

6:45pm- Discuss Insurance options

7:10pm Governance Items

  • Bylaws– Review Comments

7:30pm- Committee Reports

  • Community Building- Rachel Rudeen
  • Communications- Lauren Pennisi
  • Housing and Development – David Anderson
  • Sign Toppers – David Anderson
  • Fundraising and Grants – Anna Cox
  • Neighborhood Watch – vacant

7:50pm- New Business

This is a new agenda item where new topics can be brought up by board members or other members in attendance. If action will need to be taken on an item it will be added to the agenda for the following meeting

Adjourn

Free Community Conference – October 19

The Boise Neighborhood Interactive free community conference is quickly approaching! Reserve your spot here for this one day, in-person conference on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at JUMP Boise. Space is limited and registration closes soon.

Here’s what you can expect at the Boise Neighborhood Interactive:

  • Keynote address from Shannon McGuire of Spark! Strategic Solutions
  • Workshops on community topics most important to Boiseans
    • Public Safety
    • Smart Growth
    • Housing solutions
    • Climate goals
    • Transportation projects
  • Networking with city leaders and fellow neighborhood champions
  • Guided walking and bike tours
  • Community resources and information
  • Complimentary breakfast and lunch
  • Validated parking in the JUMP structure

The annual conference is designed to empower our community, offering a platform for neighbors to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on making our neighborhoods even better. Whether you’re passionate about local projects, interested in sharing new ideas, or simply want to meet people in your community – there is something for everyone.

The conference is open and free to all Boiseans. Space is limited and registration is required to attend. 

September Happenings in the West End

September 17 Board Meeting at 6:30PM

Next board meeting is Tuesday, September 17 at 6:30PM. Location details to follow.

See meeting minutes from August meeting.

Design Review for CWI Campus on Main/Whitewater Park Blvd

Check at meeting agenda day of and at the start of the meeting…it can be revised at the last minute.

Free Community Conference October 19 – Register now

Big news! Energize Our Neighborhoods is excited to host a free community conference Saturday, October 19, 2024, at JUMP Boise and we’re giving neighborhood associations first dibs to sign up! We know how much heart and effort you pour into building our community throughout the year, so we want to make sure you get early access before we announce it next week. It’s our way of saying thanks for everything you do.

Here’s what you can expect at the Boise Neighborhood Interactive:

  • Keynote address from Shannon McGuire of Spark! Strategic Solutions
  • Workshops on community topics most important to Boiseans
  • Networking with city leaders and fellow neighborhood champions
  • Guided walking and bike tours
  • Community resources and information
  • Complimentary breakfast and lunch

The annual conference is designed to empower our community, offering a platform for neighbors to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on making our neighborhoods even better. Whether you’re passionate about local projects, interested in sharing new ideas, or simply want to meet people in your community – there is something for everyone.

Reserve your spot: https://Neighborhood-Interactive.eventbrite.com Please share out on your websites and social channels. The conference is open and free to all Boiseans. Space is limited and registration is required to attend. We can’t wait to see you and continue working together for an even more vibrant, connected community.

August Happenings

National Night Out – August 6

Join the West End and West Downtown Neighborhood Associations as they host National Night Out, a national community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. Read more about the program here.

This event will be held at Fairview Park from 6-8PM.

CWI Campus Design Review – August 14

Proposed project is to construct a new 8-story mixed user building. The first proposal–presented in March–was sent back to the architects to revise and improve their design.

To participate during the meeting, follow this link.

Questions or comments should be directed to the city planner, Katelyn Menuge, either by email (KMenuge@cityofboise.org) or call 208.608.7100. Case #DRH24-00037.

Monthly Board Meeting – August 20

This is the regular board meeting. Place and agenda to follow. Usual meeting time is 6:30PM.

July Happenings

Board Meeting – July 16 at 6:30PM

With the high temps, we will meet at Casanova Pizza. Come early, have dinner. Mention to the wait staff or manager that you’re with the West End Neighborhood.

Tentative July Meeting Agenda

  • Roll call
  • Review June meeting minutes
  • Discuss and vote on board nomination Tasymn Raleigh
  • Committee reports
  • New business

Meet Candidates for Boise’s Police Chief

From the Office of the Boise Mayor’s press release:

After reviewing 20 applications from prospective candidates hoping to serve as Boise’s next Chief of Police, three applicants have been selected for a series of panel interviews and two open houses later this month. They are:

  • Jeffrey Bert currently serves as Chief of Police in Tomball, Texas. During his time in Tomball, Bert also served as Interim Assistant City Manager. Prior to that, Chief Bert served in several leadership roles in the Los Angeles Police Department.
  • Chris Dennison is the Assistant Chief of Police for the Tucson Police Department, leading Central Investigations, Counter Narcotics Alliance, and Forensics. Dennison has been with the Tucson Police Department for twenty years, starting as an officer in 2004 and moving up through the ranks.
  • Tom Worthy is Chief of Police in The Dalles, Oregon. Worthy’s prior experience includes over a decade with the Oregon State Police in increasingly elevated command positions and fifteen years as a trooper and patrol sergeant.

Candidates will arrive in Boise on Wednesday, July 17th. Over two days, July 18 – 19, 2024, they will tour the city, participate in panel interviews, and meet the public, and BPD officers and staff.

Community members are invited to meet the candidates from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18th at the Boise Train Depot. The open house will begin with candidates answering a series of questions followed residents mingling and chatting with the candidates. Light refreshments will be available.

Meet New Board Member Katie Erley

Hi there! We’ve lived in the West End for about 3 years now and have felt so fortunate to be here. I returned to Idaho after 15 years out of state. Living elsewhere has given me a unique appreciation for this neighborhood. Our family greatly enjoys being so central (and nearly always bikeable!) to so many fun activities and options.

Since living here, I have been learning the value of having a neighborhood association. My first introduction was the events WENA has hosted, which have been a lot of fun and a great way to get to know our neighbors. Having young children, knowing our neighbors and fostering community feels more important to me than ever.

Projects that support and engage our neighborhood children is where my greatest interests lie. WENA has been a great fit for my interest of coordinating a holiday drive for our neighborhood’s women and children’s shelter the last couple of years. Now that I’ve joined the WENA board, I am continuing to learn the various ways WENA can make a positive impact. It has been inspiring to learn about other people’s ideas and passion to both maintain and make improvements to our lovely neighborhood!  

Special interests: community events, parent/children engagement, neighborhood charity opportunities 

Neighborhood Night Out – August 6

Join us in Fairview Park for some local fun. More details to follow.

June Happenings

Monthly Meeting June 18 at 6:30PM

Join the board at Fairview Park on Tuesday, June 18, at 6:30PM for our monthly meeting. Agenda includes electing officers, discussing nominations for vacant board seats, and any other new business.

Results from May Election

At the Annual General Meeting on May 13, the following people were elected to the board:

  • David Anderson (incumbent)
  • Andrea Bogle
  • Katie Erley
  • Lauren Pennisi (incumbent)
  • Rachel Rudeen (incumbent)
  • Brent Stewart

Minutes from May 13 Annual General Meeting

west-end-na-minutes-agm-5.13.24Download