Boise Daily Brief: Airport expansion move, foothills workforce housing, and election-district debate

1) Boise Airport expansion: office building purchase approved

Boise City Council approved buying an office building on airport property at 2700 W. Airport Way for $731,000. The move is meant to shift some airport office functions and free up space for a larger baggage-handling system as the airport continues a long-term expansion program.

City staff say the purchase is still in due diligence before closing, and the first employee moves could happen later this year.

2) Foothills workforce housing proposal moves forward

A new apartment project called Juniper Springs is being planned near the base of the foothills, after a local nonprofit donated land for a workforce-focused development. Early filings show a multifamily complex planned near the Harrison Hollow area, close to trail access and existing office uses.

Organizers say the goal is to create housing geared toward essential workers, including health care and public safety staff.

3) Election-by-district proposal returns

Legislation introduced in the Idaho House would require cities with populations above 25,000 to elect council members by district instead of at-large. If it advances, it would broaden district-based elections beyond the current threshold and could affect Boise, Meridian and Nampa.

4) Calendar look-ahead: March crowds

Downtown is gearing up for Treefort Music Festival (March 25-29) and the Big Sky basketball championships (March 7-11) at Idaho Central Arena. Expect a busier-than-usual stretch for parking, rideshares and restaurant waits once those crowds arrive.

5) Quick statewide notes with Boise ties

In this week’s political roundup, budget decisions and campaign stops were among the items drawing attention, including a brief visit to Boise by Donald Trump Jr. The broader theme: the Legislature and election-year politics are already spilling into local conversations.

Sources

• https://boisedev.com/news/2026/02/25/boise-purchases-airport-office-building-to-make-room-for-expansion/
• https://boisedev.com/news/2026/02/25/juniper-springs-apartments-healthwise-boise-eyes-on-health-housing-company/
• https://boisedev.com/news/2026/02/23/district-25000-2026/
• https://visitboise.com/boise-march-2026-events-treefort-big-sky/
• https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/show/idaho-matters/2026-02-27/reporter-roundtable-budget-mccall-idaho-legislature