Friends of Murgoitio Park

As reported in BoiseDev on June 24, “For the first time, Boise's political leaders are explaining what they hope to see with the Murgoitio Park site in SW Boise… Instead of the park first imagined in 1997, the city could instead trade much of the land for houses.” Elected officials don't commit their support for projects before seeing them and studying them. It's remarkable that a website focused solely on development would miss such a glaring issue. Mayor McLean said, “This is about housing.” “The proposal, which isn't fully formed or in public view…,” apparently already has her learned support. “The city couldn't provide an estimate on the number of houses the site might include, [but possibly] 960 and 2,400 houses on the site.” Sure, I'll vote for that. Just fill in the blank on the homes. “[McLean] thinks it's important Boise not be held to promises made 20 years ago..,” though residents have relied on these promises for decades.  According to BoiseDev “Both McLean and City Council President Elaine Clegg repeatedly emphasized … they can't vote in council and mayoral elections.” “The Harris family, who is developing the Harris Ranch subdivisions … informed the media it was the developer behind the potential swap. McLean emphasized that the Harris family approached the city with the idea.” According to the November 2017 issue of Territory magazine, Millie Davis (daughter of Dallas Harris) “said a 105-acre parcel in the foothills is one prime area the family will preserve…they're under pressure to allow connection to it through other foothills trails…The city is putting pressure on us to donate it…” Mayor McLean appears to be misrepresenting the true nature of the Harris family “proposal.” 

On June 23, 2021, Mayor McLean explained why she's taking away Murgoitio Park--for dense housing.  There are people like McLean who say that dense housing and green space "go together," but they are all real estate developers. She washes her hands of the obligations the city undertook "decades ago," because "the city never took the actions necessary to build the park" and the city spent our impact fees in other areas. She concedes the city has one month to study the project. She said the city is "considering" this project, but within 24 hours she stated in BoiseDev that she supports this project.  She makes it astonishingly clear that property owners and real estate professionals may not rely upon the city's general plan.  She needs to keep an eraser for the developers! Run hard, Mayor McLean. Keep up in the race against Meridian, Eagle and Nampa for more rooftops!

 Murgoitio Park is one of the last remaining open spaces in the southwest region. Since 1993, it has been specifically set aside by the city as a future regional park. Currently, the site is 163 acres of peaceful farmland nestled just below the New York Canal, flanked to the east by Cole Road and to the west by Maple Grove. A ribbon of green amid a swath of asphalt and concrete, this parcel is truly one of the last gems of southwest Boise.  In a mad dash before council districts are redrawn and the balance of power changes, the city wants to wash their hands of the Murgoitio Park plan completely. They are seeking to approve a land-swap which will allow an undisclosed developer to build houses on almost all 163 acres of the Murgotio site. In exchange, the city will receive an undisclosed parcel of land in the foothills. When we consider all the extant plans and implied promises the city has made about our regional “Jewel” park over the years, this is a deal that cannot help but seem underhanded.