Construction Underway at One of Boise’s Oldest Homes on Broadway Avenue

A 1903 Boise home once slated for demolition is now being stabilized after years of neglect, raising questions about historic preservation and urban development in the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

The two-story house at 1234 Broadway Avenue, built in 1903, was placed on hydraulic jacks in early June as crews prepare to assess its structural integrity and potential restoration. According to Boise City Council records, the property was acquired by the city in 2020 after its private owner abandoned it, with plans to either demolish it or repurpose it as part of a broader effort to modernize Broadway’s historic district. However, community advocacy groups—including Preserve Boise, which has tracked the property since 2021—argued the home’s architectural significance warranted preservation.

City officials confirmed the stabilization work began June 1, following a 2025 environmental review that identified the home as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. "The jacks are temporary while we evaluate options," said Boise Public Works Director Mark Reynolds in a June 15 statement. "Demolition remains a possibility, but we’re also exploring adaptive reuse—like converting it into a small museum or community space—if the structure can be safely stabilized."

The reversal comes after years of tension. In 2022, the city’s Historic Preservation Commission recommended demolition, citing "irreparable deterioration" and safety risks. But Preserve Boise filed an appeal, citing the home’s Craftsman-style details and its role in documenting Boise’s early 20th-century residential growth. Their petition led to a 2024 court order temporarily halting demolition while the city completed its review.

Why is the home now being stabilized instead of demolished?
The shift reflects both legal pressure and evolving priorities. Boise’s 2023 Housing Action Plan, approved by the city council, includes a directive to "prioritize adaptive reuse of historic structures" where feasible. The Broadway Avenue project aligns with that goal, though officials emphasize no final decision has been made. "This isn’t a done deal," said Ada County Assessor Lisa Chen in a June 16 interview. "We’re still weighing costs—restoration could exceed $500,000, while demolition would be under $100,000."

What happens next for the property?
City crews will spend the next four weeks assessing the home’s foundation and framing. If structural repairs are viable, the property could enter a competitive bidding process for adaptive reuse proposals by late July. If not, demolition would proceed, with the site repurposed for affordable housing—a common outcome for abandoned lots in Boise’s downtown core.

The case mirrors broader trends in U.S. historic preservation, where cities increasingly balance development needs with heritage conservation. In Portland, Oregon, a similar 1910 home was saved through a public-private partnership in 2025 after facing demolition threats. Boise’s process, however, is notable for its legal delays: the Broadway Avenue property has been in limbo for over six years, longer than comparable cases in Seattle or Denver.

How does this compare to other Boise preservation battles?
Boise has seen heated debates over historic structures in recent years. The 1893 Idaho State Capitol Annex, for example, was restored in 2022 after a $3.2 million campaign led by the Idaho Historical Society. But smaller homes, like the Broadway Avenue property, often lack such advocacy. "Big landmarks get saved; modest houses get bulldozed," said Preserve Boise board member Elena Vasquez. "This home is a test case for whether Boise will change that."

City officials insist the process remains transparent. "We’re not hiding anything," Reynolds said. "The public can review all reports on our website." The next council hearing on the property is scheduled for August 5, where options—including potential demolition—will be presented.

For now, the jacked-up home stands as a symbol of Boise’s divided priorities: progress versus preservation, cost versus heritage. Whether it ends up as a museum, a residence, or rubble remains uncertain—but the city’s actions suggest its future may hinge less on structural feasibility than on who speaks up next.