Boise City Council approves $70K art installation and $522K pathway design project

Boise City Council has taken significant steps to enhance community infrastructure and public art during their recent work session on April 15, 2025. The council approved two interim budget changes aimed at improving local amenities and promoting community engagement.

The first initiative involves a $70,000 budget adjustment for the Redwood Park Passage art installation in the Ustick townsite. This project, a collaboration between the Department of Arts and History, the Neighborhood Investment Program, and the West Valley Neighborhood Association, aims to enhance the area's cultural landscape. The funding shift aligns financial oversight with project management, ensuring efficient use of resources. The project is expected to be completed this summer, with any unused funds returned to the arts fund.

In a second major development, the council approved a $522,000 capital project to design a new public pathway along the Spoils Bank Canal in Northwest Boise. This pathway will be part of a larger effort to create 1.65 miles of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian routes, improving access to three schools, three parks, and two community activity centers. The design phase will be funded primarily through a $3.7 million federal grant, with the city contributing a local match of $38,000 from its existing pathways program budget. Construction is anticipated to begin in fiscal year 2028.

These initiatives reflect the city’s commitment to enhancing public spaces and ensuring that all residents have access to parks and recreational facilities within a ten-minute walk. The council's decisions are expected to foster community engagement and improve the quality of life for Boise residents.