Council workshop directs staff to draft deed restrictions and pursue sale process for Idaho Center

City council members at a workshop discussed putting the Idaho Center on the open market and directed staff to draft deed restrictions and begin the statutory process to determine whether the property is underutilized, with an initial underutilization declaration scheduled for Sept. 2 and a public hearing expected in October.

The council discussed price estimates and sale mechanics as the most immediate questions. Councilmember B said, “So if there's somebody out there who's willing to pay 20,000,000, then why don't you ask them to put an offer together and we can look at it in a week?” Legal counsel warned that state law requires a public sale to the highest bidder and that the council must follow the statutory underutilization and public-notice timeline if it wants to sell. “It has to be sold at a public auction to the highest bidder,” Legal Counsel said.

The workshop focused on three practical issues: (1) what deed restrictions should be attached to any sale to preserve community events, (2) whether to accept bids or pursue a conveyance to a governmental entity, and (3) the timetable and legal steps required to open the property to market offers. Staff were asked to draft deed restrictions based on a previously circulated term sheet and to return drafts to council for review at the next meetings.

Councilmembers and staff discussed specific protections they want written into any deed restrictions: continued use of the Idaho Center for the Snake River Stampede Rodeo and horse-park facilities, preservation of graduations and state tournaments, and protections for recurring events such as gun shows and craft shows. Councilmember A said these items should be included so “people are gonna look at it and be okay. At least they tried.” Council discussion also noted logistical concerns: the rodeo requires extensive preparation and expense by event operators, and the horse-park infrastructure is currently in disrepair.

Valuation figures were debated. One member cited earlier reports and said a $100,000,000 figure had been discussed; another cited the Jacobs report and noted replacement value estimates of about $150,000,000 for four buildings. Councilmember B and others also noted that a willing-buyer/willing-seller market offer could establish market value and that an appraisal might be unnecessary if offers materialize.

Legal counsel outlined the required process to sell municipal property: the council must first make a formal declaration that the property is underutilized, notice that declaration, hold a public hearing (the earliest practical hearing would be in October because of the 14-day notice requirement), and then, if the council votes to proceed, put the property up for public auction to the highest bidder. Counsel also said deed restrictions can be drafted to include reversion language if a buyer violates terms, but cautioned the council that law limits how a seller may prequalify or exclude potential buyers. “What it says is you take the highest bidder. What you put in your deed restrictions is up to us and what the law permits,” Legal Counsel said.

Participants discussed alternatives to an open sale, including a direct conveyance to another governmental entity or a negotiated exchange with an entity that could provide comparable value. Staff noted the Auditorium District may have revenue starting in 2027 and that any joint-powers agreement or transfer to an entity in that district would require coordination. Councilmembers asked staff to consult with Boise Valley Economic Partnership to assess national interest and to identify deed-restriction language that would preserve the center's community functions while allowing a market sale.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the workshop; councilmembers described the meeting as direction to staff. Staff (Preston) was asked to prepare deed-restriction language and to have materials ready for the Sept. 2 council meeting; legal counsel will prepare the underutilization declaration and findings for the October public hearing if the council decides to proceed.

The workshop closed with members agreeing to continue the process. If the council later votes to place the Idaho Center on the market, the sale would proceed under the statutory public-sale procedures with any deed restrictions attached as an exhibit to the sale documents.