The City of Meridian and Idaho Smart Growth unveiled the newly transformed Idaho Avenue in downtown Meridian on Friday, September 9, 2016, thanks in part to a placemaking grant from Boise Regional REALTORS® (formerly Ada County Association of REALTORS®) and the National Association of REALTORS®.
Placemaking reshapes a public space to be more welcoming, functional and attractive to people and activity – enhancing the community overall. This was achieved on Idaho Avenue by narrowing traffic lanes to allow for boardwalks and public art projects; while colorful planters and outdoor seating invite people to stay awhile.
Boise Regional REALTORS® (BRR) kicked off this project by providing the grant through a partnership with Idaho Smart Growth. Idaho Smart Growth worked with Project for Public Spaces and various community organizations, local officials, and business leaders to select the Idaho Avenue location and complete the three-year pilot project, making it truly a community effort.
“We’re so glad that our association could be a part of the Idaho Avenue Placemaking Project,” said Carey Farmer, 2016 President of Boise Regional REALTORS® and broker associate with Group One Sotheby’s International Realty. “Investing in our communities is a priority to REALTORS®. Meridian is already a great place to live, projects like these only enhance it.”
The idea behind the placemaking process is to find lighter, quicker and cheaper ways to energize a space, drawing people and building community. Partners and communities are encouraged to think creatively about low-cost improvements, and be flexible in the uses of public space so it fits the needs of the people that use them.
For more information about this project, see the Idaho Smart Growth “Placemaking Downtown” report.
