Overview of Central District

The Central Urban Renewal District marked a turning point in the revitalization of Downtown Boise. Established in 1987, the district encompassed approximately 34 acres in the heart of downtown at a time when the city center faced disinvestment, vacant properties and growing competition from suburban development.

The City of Boise had spent the previous two decades overseeing its local urban renewal effort using Federal funding and the organization it formed, the Boise Redevelopment Agency. The change in funding, using local tax increment financing, coincided with a change in philosophy, leadership and approach. It also came with a name change, in 1989, from the BRA to Capital City Development Corporation.

Under the leadership of Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), the Central District embraced a new approach to redevelopment—using strategic public investment to create an environment where private investment could thrive. Rather than relying on a single major development, CCDC invested in streets, sidewalks, public spaces, parking and other infrastructure that strengthened downtown block by block.
Among the district’s most visible achievements were The Grove Plaza and the transformation of 8th Street into a pedestrian-oriented dining, entertainment and retail destination. Investments in public parking and infrastructure also helped unlock underused properties for redevelopment and supported major projects including Boise Centre, The Grove Hotel and arena, 8th & Main Building, Boise Centre East, and Main Street Station.

The results helped redefine Downtown Boise. Property values within the district grew dramatically, new businesses and development followed, and the city center emerged as a destination for commerce, culture, entertainment and community life.

When the Central District completed its 30-year term in 2018, it became CCDC’s first urban renewal district to sunset. Its enduring legacy is the downtown Boise experienced today—and a redevelopment model demonstrating how visionary public investment, strong partnerships and thoughtful placemaking can catalyze generations of private investment and community prosperity.