Overview of River Myrtle – Old Boise District

When the River Myrtle-Old Boise (RMOB) District was established in 1996, much of the area was defined by vacant lots, warehouses, and Boise’s industrial past. The district was created to catalyze redevelopment and strengthen downtown as a center for business, government, culture, education, and urban living.

Over the next 30 years, RMOB helped transform the area through strategic public investment, infrastructure improvements, new housing, enhanced mobility, public spaces, and partnerships that spurred significant private investment.

It was Downtown Boise’s largest urban renewal district, due in part to the voluntary annexation of the Old Boise area into River Myrtle in 2007. The district officially sunset in September 2025, leaving a lasting legacy of revitalization. Its impact can be seen throughout downtown today—and in the continued investment and growth it helped make possible.