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Renovations to ITD’s Boise HQ will cost at least $64M – not $32M, new report shows • Idaho Capital Sun

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Renovations to ITD’s Boise HQ will cost at least M – not M, new report shows • Idaho Capital Sun


A new report on the Idaho Transportation Department’s former State Street headquarters in Boise estimates it would cost at least twice the amount of money the Idaho Legislature provided earlier this year to renovate the flood-damaged property. 

It’s not clear what happens next to the empty and contaminated property. But one thing is sure – the state did not set aside nearly enough money to get the building back in safe, usable condition for state employees.

The issue involves the Idaho Transportation Department former Boise headquarters located at 3311 W. State St. On Jan. 2, 2022, the building flooded, was contaminated with asbestos and all ITD employees working at the building were displaced, according to court and ITD records.

Mold was also detected at the property, ITD officials said.

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The building, which was completed in 1961, has sat vacant since 2022. Other buildings on the 44-acre campus have been in use since the flood, state officials told the Idaho Capital Sun.

The Idaho Transportation Department board declared the State Street property “surplus property” the summer after the flood, which paved the way for the entire 44-acre campus the headquarters sits on to be sold.

Extensive damage is visible during a Dec. 19, 2024, visit to the Idaho Transportation Department’s former Boise headquarters. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

But in March, the Idaho Legislature suddenly blocked the $51.7 million sale of the State Street campus to a group of developers that included Hawkins Companies, FJ Management and Pacific West Communities.

Legislators argued it would be a better deal for the taxpayers to block the sale, hold on to the State Street campus, renovate it and use it for state employees again. Legislators agreed to provide $32.5 million to renovate the building, based on a rudimentary, sight-unseen estimate provided by the Idaho Division of Public Works. The estimate from the Idaho Division of Public Works was not a full estimate and did not take into account the amount of flood damage or HVAC repairs, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. 

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ITD releases ‘Property Condition Assessment’ report on Boise headquarters

Then on Thursday, the Idaho Transportation Department released a new 207-page “Property Condition Assessment” report. The new report lists repair estimates ranging from $64 million to $69.4 million.

Idaho Transportation Department
Exposed wiring and ceiling damage is visible during a Dec. 19, 2024, visit to the Idaho Transportation Department’s former Boise headquarters. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

The $64 million “level 1” estimate provides the estimated cost to allow state employees to move back into a safe, secure and comfortable building that meets the same standards as a typical state office building.

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The $69.4 million “level 2” estimate includes all level 1 upgrades, plus a new fire suppression sprinkler system and recommendations for an open floor plan design to allow longterm occupancy and adaptability, according to the report.

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Architects and consultants with CSHQA completed the property condition assessment report that includes the $64 million and $69.4 million estimates. Notably, the assessment is not a formal repair bid, so actual renovation and repair costs could vary from the assessment.

Rep. Wendy Horman, the Idaho Falls Republican who serves as co-chair of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, said legislators took action based on the $32.5 million estimate provided by the Idaho Division of Public Works.

“We used the numbers that were provided to us,” Horman said in a phone interview Thursday. “So it is interesting to see such a large discrepancy between what was provided to us and acted on in good faith during the legislative session and these new numbers.”

Horman said she does not know what comes next for the ITD State Street campus. She said it will be a discussion point during the upcoming 2025 legislative session, and she expects to get to the bottom of the discrepancy between the estimates.

“It is interesting to see that nine months later we are given one (cost estimate) that is essentially double,” Horman added.

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When asked what will happen next, Idaho Transportation Department officials provided the Sun with a written statement saying they will take the latest estimates to the Idaho Transportation Department board in January. ITD officials also said they will seek a building design.

“Based on current legislative direction, ITD will continue to work with (Idaho Division of Public Works) to advance the project,” the statement read. “In the current assessment, CSHQA has identified extensive repairs due to the age of the building, the flood damage and the subsequent deferred maintenance since the 2022 vacancy. A building design will provide the necessary detail to execute the rehabilitation work and provide a more accurate cost estimate. This estimate would inform ITD’s appropriation request, as needed, in future fiscal years.”

Inside of former Idaho Transportation Department Boise headquarters looks like disaster site

ITD officials allowed the Idaho Capital Sun and other local journalists to tour the inside of the flood damaged property on Thursday. 

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Even three years after the flood, a damp, musty smell permeates the building.

Numerous walls, ceilings, carpets and floors show visible water damage stains.

Crews drilled dozens of holes in many of the building’s interior walls to help water escape and walls dry after water flooded down the walls and elevator shafts, ITD officials said.

Idaho Transportation Department campus flood damage
Crews drilled dozens of holes in interior walls to help water escape and walls dry at the Idaho Transportation Department’s former Boise headquarters. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

Exposed electrical wiring, tangles of twisted metal and pieces of broken wood are scattered across some of the hallways. 

Chairs and desks are stacked haphazardly, and in some cases toppled in piles.
Emergency exit signs have been ripped from ceilings and dangle from loose wires.

Elevator doors are propped open.

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The heat and lights only work in some parts of the building.

Despite the contaminated mess, stained ITD coffee cups still sit on some of the desks, project notes are still scribbled in red marker on whiteboards and even a few Christmas decorations from 2021 are still affixed to office doors and windows.

In short, it looks like a disaster scene.

When the would-be buyers including Hawkins Companies made the high bid for the State Street campus, they planned to demolish and build new, not renovate the flood-damaged building.

Idaho Transportation Department headquarters in Boise
This file photo of the Idaho Transportation Department’s old State Street headquarters in Boise was taken March 21, 2021, before the building flooded. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon

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Delicious New Menu Item Expected To Hit Idaho Costcos Soon


There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.

Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.

Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.

Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.

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Idaho Costcos

Where to find Costcos in Idaho.

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!

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Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds

You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!

Look at those chicken tenders:

 

 

 

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Costco Foodcourt’s New Item

It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!

Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola

Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts

Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?

Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM

 

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist

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This is How to Identify an Idaho Christian Nationalist


You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people.  The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams.  Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.”  One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school.  His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus.  Some of our early leaders were devout Christians.  Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service.  They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.

They Mock Good People of Other Faiths

I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention.  Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke.  She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!”  Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people?  Or would God prefer a gentler approach?  For instance, you could pray for conversions.

Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?

Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument.  “We’re all going to be judged,” she said.  What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates.  A group of liberal women demonstrated outside.  I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational.  They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event.  If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered.  Let me add a caveat.  Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple.  I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people.  Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.

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Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists.  Do we need to draw them some pictures?

Brad Little Through The Years

Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller





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Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

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Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho


KUNA — A sister-duo is filling baskets with blankets, snacks and handwritten notes to spread some extra love to moms spending Mother’s Day in the hospital with their newborns.

The effort is led by “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” a nonprofit co-founded by sisters Tiffany and Alyssa Higbee. The organization was born from Alyssa’s own experience spending months in the NICU with her firstborn.

Alyssa’s son was initially in the NICU for about two weeks, then was put back in for about 3.5 months. During that time, several holidays passed, making it especially hard as a first-time mom.

“There was people in companies who would bring us stuff and try and cheer up your day, and it really helped, and so when my son was about 6 months old, we decided that it would be best to try and help moms in the NICU somehow,” Alyssa Higbee said.

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That inspiration led the sisters to create Mother’s Day gift baskets filled with items to bring comfort and encouragement to moms facing the same journey.

WATCH: Learn more about “Helping Hands for NICU Moms”

Local non-profit fills Mother’s Day baskets for NICU moms across Idaho

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The sisters have a 12-year age gap. Tiffany was fresh out of high school when they started the nonprofit in 2023, which meant she had more time to dedicate to the project. Alyssa noted that because of the age gap, they didn’t get to spend a lot of time together growing up, so the project has brought them closer.

“Hopefully, this can bring some hope that you can get out of it … that NICU period, that scary initial phase, it does get easier,” Alyssa Higbee said.

ALSO READ | Fragile beginnings to bright futures: NICU ‘Wall of Hope’ inspires families with stories of strength

Alyssa’s son, who was born in the NICU at St. Luke’s in Twin Falls, is now 3-years-old and healthy. Tiffany said watching her nephew go through the NICU was hard, but seeing him now — jumping, tackling her, and doing everything a little boy does — makes the work even more meaningful.

“It’s cool to see the difference because I know that some kids don’t make it to where he is when they’re in the NICU, and it’s just cool to see that he did,” Tiffany Higbee said.

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This year’s baskets are packed with items donated by nearly 25 local companies — up from just 5 donors in the first year. The baskets include soaps from Wild Highland Soaps, claw clips, bibs, hair bows, chapsticks, socks, lotions, hand sanitizers, coloring books, colored pencils, snacks, minky blankets, and stuffed puppies from Scheels.

Gift cards and coupons are also included from Dutch Bros, Flying M Coffee, a pizza company, Wendy’s (free meal coupons for breakfast and lunch), Albertsons, and a $10 coupon to a baby store.

Tiffany started collecting donations for this year’s baskets as early as November of last year, spending a few hours every week for the past 6 to 8 months to prepare — reaching out to companies, picking up donations, and organizing everything.

The assembly process includes last-minute tasks like ironing vinyl onto bags, opening boxes, and putting together gift card envelopes before the full baskets are assembled and delivered.

“We start putting the bags together, making sure we have everything in there, and then we deliver them on Mother’s Day,” Alyssa Higbee said.

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The baskets are delivered before noon on Mother’s Day to avoid missing moms who may be discharged after doctors do their rounds. Currently, the organization delivers to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in downtown Boise.

Tiffany said delivering the baskets is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

“I love seeing the moms sometimes we get to watch them come out with their baskets, and they’ll be going through it, and they look really excited and happy,” Tiffany Higbee said.

“Seeing how happy they are or knowing how I cheered them up a little bit for their Mother’s Day because it’s a big holiday, it’s their first with that baby at least,” Tiffany Higbee said.

The first year, the project was funded mostly out of their own pockets. Three years later, as an official nonprofit, they said they no longer have to rely heavily on their own funds thanks to their new partnerships.

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The organization accepts both monetary donations via Venmo and their website, as well as in-kind donations of physical items like soaps, claw clips, and other basket items — year-round.

The organization’s future goal is to expand to all the different NICUs in the area, and potentially the PICUs (Pediatric Intensive Care Units) as well, since that was also part of Alyssa’s experience.

To learn how you can donate or get involved with “Helping Hands for NICU Moms,” you can visit their website by clicking here.

Send tips to neighborhood reporter Brady Caskey

Have a story idea from South Boise, West Boise or Kuna? Share it with Brady below —

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