Expansion Highlights

The purpose of the Auditorium District is economic development.  Currently, the Auditorium District is in the process of updating several studies as it continues to move forward with plans to build an expanded convention center.  Included in these reports are:

  • A partnership with Esther Simplot, Boise City and the District was formed to evaluate the feasibility of repurposing Boise Centre to a 1,000 seat Performing Arts Facility.  The consulting firm of AMS was retained to provide up to a two part analysis. The first, evaluating demand, will be presented to the partnership group in May 2012.  If necessary, the second part, evaluating structure, architecture, utilization, and operating costs, is expected by August 2012.
  • The District is developing a Strategic Plan, with the first major goal focusing on the expansion.  Several elements must be considered, including location (Parcel B, bordered by Front, Myrtle, 11th and 13th Streets in Downtown Boise), architecture, financing and public relations will be focused on in the next several months.
  • TVSdesign, the architectural firm that created the original design for the expansion in 2002, has been retained to provide site elements based on programming established by Convention, Sports and Leisure as well as PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Appropriate use of exhibit, ballroom and other spaces will be evaluated and a plan developed that best fits the dimensions of Parcel B.
  • Convention, Sports and Leisure is being retained to update their last study completed in 2009.  This information is valuable at assessing national trends in convention center development, meeting attendance, growth  of conventions and meetings, and helping to determine the scope of the market a new convention center in Boise could penetrate, bringing even more economic development to the Treasure Valley.

The District continues to work diligently on achieving the goal of an expansion, and will provide regular updates to, and encourage participation of, the public of which it serves.  Please look for more information as the reports become available, which will be added to this web page for review.