A big donor’s name will go on Boise’s Downtown YMCA as part of a 2½-block, $200M project

Nick Rosenberger
·6 min read

Pieces are moving into place for one of the largest and costliest developments in the history of downtown Boise.

The nearly $200 million redevelopment would reshape almost three city blocks south of Boise High School along State Street with five buildings that include a new Downtown Boise YMCA, over 400 apartments and roughly 30,000 square feet of commercial space. The Y will add a major donor’s name to its new building, too.

Crews demolished the iconic Idaho Sporting Goods store at 421 N. 10th St. — directly south of the Y — in January to make way for the new three-story YMCA.

Across 11th Street, developers submitted an application in late March to demolish two more buildings to make way for a seven-story building with retail and affordable housing.

The project, which brings together the YMCA and developers Edlen & Co, deChase Miksis and Elton Cos., would also add an office building and a 15-story residential and commercial building with a “mobility hub” next to the new Y. The mobility hub would tie into transportation plans to upgrade the traffic-heavy State Street corridor.

Plans call for moving the YMCA, at upper left, across State Street, at upper middle. Housing and commercial space would fill the rest of the block, at upper right. More housing and commercial space would be built across 11th Street, at lower right, and where the YMCA is located now, at upper left. An office building would be built at lower left. Edlen & Co.

Developers proposed demolishing the current site of the YMCA — once construction is complete on the new building — to build a four-story building with space for ground-floor businesses and three floors of apartments.

The developers are working under a tight schedule: The area is in an urban renewal district that will expire in September 2026, meaning crews need to finish construction in the next 2½ years. The city’s urban renewal agency, Capital City Development Corp., is kicking in funds for public improvements related to the project such as for street or utility upgrades.

This map highlights the project area in front of Boise High School that would see the construction of a new YMCA, over 400 apartments and about 30,000 square feet of commercial space. Google Earth
This map highlights the project area in front of Boise High School that would see the construction of a new YMCA, over 400 apartments and about 30,000 square feet of commercial space. Google Earth

A new future for Treasure Valley YMCA

The YMCA is leading the charge out of the five projects, with crews expecting to break ground on the new $80 million building this summer and finish construction in 18 to 24 months.

The Y also found new partners for its plans, including a $5 million partnership with Meridian-based CapEd Credit Union, according to a March news release. The funds will bring a new name for the downtown YMCA: the CapEd Downtown Boise YMCA.

“The Downtown Boise YMCA will not only be a state-of-the-art facility, but — building on our rich 130-year history — will be a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations to come,” said David Duro, CEO and president of the Treasure Valley YMCA, in the release.

While the Treasure Valley YMCA has been around for 130 years, the downtown building was built in 1968 and expanded in 1985 and 1999, according to prior Statesman reporting. But the expansions were not enough for the region’s population boom.

A 2017 study found that the Y would need a $20 million investment to keep operations running, according to prior Statesman reporting. That money would not have expanded the building’s capacity limits or solved accessibility problems.

This rendering shows the front entrance of the proposed new YMCA. 10th Street is at left. State Street is just out of view on the right. Cushing Terrell
This rendering shows the front entrance of the proposed new YMCA. 10th Street is at left. State Street is just out of view on the right. Cushing Terrell

The YMCA, CapEd and development companies “joined forces to simultaneously address the Y’s aging facility while fostering economic and social development in the community,” according to the news release.

The new building would include a maker-space for science, technology, engineering and mathematics; a mindfulness studio; a center for children with special needs; and a CapEd Credit Union branch that would provide financial counseling and financial literacy, according to the release.

The project also calls for a child development center for 134 kids, which would more than double the 62 spots available in the current child care center, said Alyson Outen, a spokesperson for the Treasure Valley YMCA, in an email.

St. Luke’s joins forces with YMCA

The YMCA also announced a new partnership with St. Luke’s Health System to “develop health-focused collaborative spaces, services and programming,” according to an April news release.

“This partnership allows the Downtown Boise YMCA to provide a wide spectrum of services really focused on preventive care and holistic wellness to keep people healthy,” Outen said.

The partnership would add clinical and shared spaces to the Y and offer services including lifestyle medicine, pediatric integrative medicine and community health, according to the release.

Developers are moving forward with plans to redevelop the area just south of Boise High School, which is just outside of this south-looking photo below the lower left corner. The YMCA is at center left. Darin Oswald
Developers are moving forward with plans to redevelop the area just south of Boise High School, which is just outside of this south-looking photo below the lower left corner. The YMCA is at center left. Darin Oswald

The services offered with St. Luke’s won’t be included in YMCA memberships, Outen said. But patients with St. Luke’s would be able to use YMCA spaces with their providers.

St. Luke’s and the Treasure Valley YMCA have had a long history of partnering together, said Dr. Jim Souza, chief physician executive with St. Luke’s, in the news release.

These include partnering together for the Tomlinson South Meridian YMCA and Little Luke’s — the Y’s early childhood learning center, Outen said.

“We see partnering for the redevelopment of the Downtown Boise YMCA as the perfect next chapter in our shared history, and we are especially excited about what this will mean for our community’s access to better health and wellbeing,” Souza said.

This architectural rendering shows the proposed new downtown YMCA at left, and a 15-story residential and commercial building next door. GBD Architects / Pivot North Architecture
This architectural rendering shows the proposed new downtown YMCA at left, and a 15-story residential and commercial building next door. GBD Architects / Pivot North Architecture

The YMCA sought a health care partner through a competitive process before landing on St. Luke’s, according to the release.

“This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to expand access to high-quality health care, wellness services and programming for individuals of all ages and backgrounds,” Duro said. “Together, we are creating a health, education and social equity hub where everyone can thrive, fostering a more vibrant community for generations to come.”

The YMCA has had a long-running partnership with St. Alphonsus Health System to provide physical therapy at the West Boise YMCA, Outen said. The new St. Luke’s partnership would not replace the physical therapy provided by St. Alphonsus.

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