STATE OF THE CITY making boise the most livable city in the country.

Transcription

1 STATE OF THE CITY 2008 making boise the most livable city in the country.

2 As I look back on the past year, I am proud to say that many of the longterm goals we set when I first took office are now becoming reality. We set out to provide city services at the neighborhood level and we have been successful. In the past year it s been my privilege to participate in the grand opening of two new branch libraries at Hillcrest and Collister. The Mobile Recreation Van is up and running and by all accounts has been a smashing success. After many years of dedicated efforts, we finally have secured full funding for the Region IV Substance Abuse and Crisis Mental Health Center, which is due to break ground within the next few months. from the mayor. mayor. We look forward to the opening of two new community recreation centers this summer, the opening of City Hall West the new home of the Boise Police and Fire Departments and other City Hall services and the ground breaking of the library at Cole and Ustick, the first of two new free-standing branch libraries planned for 2009 and These real, brick-and-mortar accomplishments are testimony to the ability of our community to come together to accomplish the important tasks and to face the future head on. Boise has always been a great city, and it has never felt as unified to me as it does now. There are still many challenges ahead. I hope you ll join me as we continue in our efforts to make Boise the most livable city in the country. Mayor David H. Bieter 3

3 Boise continues to enjoy a steady reduction in serious crime. Statistics for first quarter 2008 show a 9.0% overall decrease in crime from the same period last year, thanks in large part to an active and efficient police force and the increased involvement of neighborhoods. In 2007, Boise s Neighborhood Watch program grew by 22 groups to bring the total number in Boise to more than 300. In addition to Neighborhood Watch programs, individual citizens continue to provide valuable assistance to law enforcement. In 2007, specially trained volunteers put in a total of 15,932 hours, including 7,138 hours of Greenbelt Patrol. This represents a savings to the city of more than $275,000. Boise will soon gain a powerful tool in helping to reduce drug-related crimes. In May, we announced that full funding of the Region IV Substance Abuse and Crisis Mental Health Center had been secured. The 8,500- square-foot facility will provide emergency sobering, detoxification, and crisis mental health services, with 12 beds for detox use and 8 beds for crisis mental health. The $2.7 million facility is expected to break ground later this summer. We re making inroads in our campaign to reduce graffiti. In October of last year, more than 105 citizen volunteers joined 35 volunteers from safe. Police, Fire, Parks, and Public Works to clean up more than 75 sites marred by graffiti. The Boise Police Department assumed management responsibility for police operations at Boise Airport in October Consolidation of law enforcement efforts benefits taxpayers by reducing bureaucracy and increases safety at the airport by unifying communication and response tactics. In addition to the Boise Police Department, the Boise City Attorney s office is also working hard to keep our streets safe. In 2007, the City Attorney s Office handled 2,081 DUI-related cases with a conviction rate of 97%. safe. 4 5

4 healthy. teaching people of all ages how to protect and conserve this precious resource for future generations. healthy. 6 7 Boise s first Mobile Recreation Van was launched in February and it has become overwhelmingly popular. The Mobile Rec Van, originally intended to provide 4,000 after-school youth visits a year, provided over 2,000 visits in just its first 10 weeks. The van provides fitness activities, art instruction, and nutrition information to youths in Title 1 schools throughout the city. This summer the van will be visiting neighborhood parks, low-income apartments, and other sites most in need of these services. Afterschool opportunities for youth continue to be one of Boise s highest priorities. Last year, the Mayor s Council on Children and Youth kicked off the After3 program, an online tool that provides information on afterschool activities; it has proven to be a must-have resource for parents or any citizen interested in finding suitable activities for children. This summer will also see the opening of two new community recreation centers operating within two new elementary schools. The 4,000-squarefoot centers at the Grace Jordan and Morley Nelson elementary schools will feature multipurpose rooms to be used for afterschool art studio space, a computer lab plus a variety of games, all with after-school supervision. With the population in the Treasure Valley expected to top 1 million within the next 20 years, the importance of educating people about the value of keeping our most precious resources clean and in ample supply becomes more critical. To address this need, the Boise WaterShed opened its doors May 15. Idaho s first water education center will join the City s Foothills Learning Center to make up the core of Boise Environmental Education Programs. The Boise WaterShed will promote water stewardship by

5 8 livable. Boise is a few steps closer to getting a state-of-the-art River Recreation Park. The City has allocated $750,000 toward development of the park, and the Campaign for River Recreation has begun its fund-raising efforts to reach the estimated $4 million total cost. When completed, this oneof-a-kind park will provide a resource for kayakers and rafters of all ages and will serve as a magnet destination for Boise and the entire Northwest. Together with the adjacent Esther Simplot Park, the River Recreation Park will be a catalyst for economic development of the 30th Street area between State and Main streets. Lady Bird Johnson once said, Perhaps no place in any community is so totally democratic as the town library. We share that belief and are proud that Boise now offers more opportunities for reading and learning than ever before. With the opening of the Collister branch library in February and the Hillcrest branch library in March, Boise is at last delivering these important library services at the neighborhood level. Library use is up more li vable. than 10% from 2007, with a circulation increase of more than 15%. We re due to break ground on the free-standing West Boise library branch at Cole and Ustick in just a few weeks, with the East Boise branch at Bown Crossing scheduled to open its doors in Boise increased its commitment to culture by merging the Arts Commission and the City Historian into one full department. The new Department of Arts & History has increased its involvement in arts and history projects across the city and is becoming an even more vital part of Boise s cultural fabric. The department launched the outstanding experienceboise.org website in April; it has already proven to be the fastest and most convenient online events calendar available in the Treasure Valley. The City of Boise continues to work to protect our stunning natural scenic beauty. The Ridge to Rivers program grew to a total of 125 miles of trails in 2007, with several trails being added in the lower Foothills and the Bogus Basin Area. A recent Forest Service study showed that Boise s 23,000 street trees actually provide a specific financial benefit of more than $1 million through storm-water reduction, energy conservation, clean air, and increased property values. That works out to an annual value of $43 per tree. It s no wonder that Boise was named a Tree City USA for the 9 30th consecutive year by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

6 strong & diverse. only to relocate existing companies from out-of-state, Boise is working actively to plant the seeds for businesses that have an unlimited potential for growth. The City of Boise and the Capital City Development Corporation have provided funds and support to the WaterCooler project, an entrepreneur incubator located at 14th and Idaho streets, which will provide resources and cultivation to high-tech entrepreneurs looking to take their businesses to the next level. We also recognized the need for a strong economic development presence within City Hall, so we moved the position of Economic Development Director into the Mayor s Office to integrate economic development services on a citywide basis. 10 trong diverse. 11 As Boise grows, we must continue to ensure that new opportunities for livable jobs are part of that growth. Boise has been aggressive in encouraging businesses to expand their operations within the Treasure Valley, and we re beginning to be rewarded for our efforts. Construction is now under way on the new WinCo Distribution Center in Southeast Boise. The 700,000-square-foot center will employ 120 workers to start, eventually ramping up to 250 employees at full capacity. The center will serve as a cornerstone for the South Boise Industrial Park, attracting new businesses to the area and further establishing Boise as a major economic hub for the Northwest. No type of economic growth is more powerful than that spurred by entrepreneurs originating their businesses locally. Rather than seeking Boise Airport had more than 3.3 million visitors in 2007, and that number is only going up. The airport is a critical regional asset not only for vacation travel and tourism but also economic development. In January the City broke ground on a new air traffic control tower that will permit development of a third runway. The installation of the CAT-II Instrument Landing System will allow for fewer delays or cancellations during bad weather conditions. Add to this the expansion of parking facilities and an enhanced website and it s clear that the airport is continuing to meet the needs of a growing region.

7 effective Boise continues to make strides in providing more efficient and effective services to all of its citizens. Permit seekers can now enjoy a sleeker, friendlier system thanks to the creation of the Planning and Development Services Department s new Project Management program. This program emphasizes customer service, streamlines the permit process, and provides incentives for green development and workforce housing. The CATCH (Charitable Assistance to Community s Homeless) program continues to assist those most in need: homeless families with children. By partnering with the United Way, local businesses and faith groups, CATCH 12 efficient & effective. provides housing to families in need and then coordinates social services and case management to address the issues that contribute to episodes of family homelessness. This year saw the 1st Annual CATCH Me If You Can Fun Run/Walk, which helped raise awareness of this important issue. The City s 10-Year Plan to Reduce and Prevent Chronic Homelessness is now entering its first year of implementation, during which we will initiate a pilot program to begin housing a sample group of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in our area. The program aims to identify successes, track best practices, and eliminate gaps in process or resource. Additionally, the city has created a $2 million endowment from the sale of Community House which will be used to fund solutions for homelessness. The goal of the 10-Year Plan is to create an environment favorable for finding homes, services, and the jobs needed to improve quality of life for the homeless. 13

8 erheard BOISE With all due respect to Phoenix, Las Vegas and Orlando, the heart of America s biggest economic boom is right here in Idaho. Chalk it up, in large part, to chips computer chips and potato chips. And to a state whose climate and rugged outdoor beauty are attracting highly mobile, white-collar newcomers who could work or live most anywhere. USAToday (October 2007) No. 2, Best Places for Business and Careers. Forbes magazine (March 2008) 100 Best Communities for Young People. America s Promise Alliance (January 2008) No. 4, Best Cities of 2008 The Nation s Top Spots to Live, Work, and Play. Kiplinger s Personal Finance magazine (May 2008) It doesn t take long for this thought to hit you in this city: Man, I could live here. This city has got it going on. Victoria (B.C.) Times Colonist (October 2007) No. 4, America s 100 Best Walking Cities. Prevention magazine (March 2008) 14 overheard. No matter where you trek in Boise on the mountain, along the trails or to the creature-comfort downtown district you will enjoy a memorable time in a remarkable winter oasis. ExpressJet Airlines ExpressLane magazine (February 2008) America s Greenest Cities. Organic Gardening magazine (January 2008) No. 2, America s Most Secure Places to Live. Farmers Insurance Group (December 2007) No. 13, Least-Costly Mid-Sized Cities to Do Business. KPMG LLP (March 2008) No. 5, Nation s 100 Largest Metro Areas for Carbon Footprint. Brookings Institution (May 2008) 15

9 Front Cover Painting: Carl Rowe Photos: Chris Butler, David Day, Bill Grange, Kris Hudson, Chuck McClure, Amy Stahl, Monte Stiles Editing: Adam Park Design: Kris Hudson 150 N. Capitol Blvd. P.O. Box 500 Boise, ID Phone (208) TTY (208) Paper 80% recycled / 40% post-consumer / Processed chlorine-free