Firm says plan to move its operations can't be rushed

DENNIS THOMPSON

Statesman Journal

Boise Cascade is reviewing an ambitious redevelopment proposal for its downtown Salem properties, but the company and the city likely won't be able to meet the first deadline recommended by an advisory panel.

A group of national experts from the Urban Land Institute suggested a development plan for Boise's property and urged that a starting agreement between the city and company be hammered out by the end of August.

Boise officials said Tuesday that they had taken the Urban Land Institute's recommendations and are using them to reassess a previous internal study that considered how the company might relocate and consolidate its operations. Spokeswoman Linda Alden said they hope to bring the plan to senior company managers by the end of August, meaning that any agreement won't be ready until after then.

Boise plant manager Jim Gosnell said that the company is interested in the proposal and enthusiastic about Salem's cooperation but that a decision cannot be rushed.

"More important than sheer speed is making sure you've done enough research to make sure you make a good decision," Gosnell said. "ULI pointed out some reasons why urgency would be a benefit, and I don't think we disagree with any of those reasons."

The panel's chairman, California developer Charles Long, said urgency was emphasized because many residents had complained that in Salem, "there's a tendency for things to get studied to death."

"If a year from now, nothing had happened, that would be a significant disappointment," Long said. "And I think it would be a disappointment both for the community and Boise."

As the city waits on word from Boise, staffers are focusing on the environmental issues posed by the property, City Manager Bob Wells said.

As part of the deal, Boise would hand over to Salem 310 acres of land on Minto-Brown Island that previously was used as settlement lagoons for a discontinued paper-manufacturing operation. The land could be used as an addition to the existing park on the island.

The city also is continuing to work on a commitment to build a pedestrian bridge connecting Riverfront Park to Minto-Brown Island Park, Wells said.

City officials met with Rep. Darlene Hooley's staff two weeks ago to press for congressional earmarks that could help fund the bridge construction, he said. Other funding sources are being pursued, although if pressed, the city would move money around to pay for the bridge.

"I think the community would see this as a priority, and we would find a way to make it happen," Wells said.

Drafted by a panel of national experts, the proposal calls for the mixed-use redevelopment of Boise's riverfront property. Profits from the property's sale would help Boise move its operations to another location in Salem.

dmthomps@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6719