Boise officials are reviewing a redesign for the former Rite Aid building on State Street, a mid‑century structure that has long been a part of the downtown skyline. ALC Architecture submitted a plan that calls for three shades of gray stucco, horizontal siding and black storefronts, with the goal of modernizing the facade while accommodating multiple tenants.
Historic character and community input
The building, originally constructed in the 1960s and previously home to a Safeway, a Rite Aid and, most recently, a temporary Spirit Halloween store, features a distinctive curved roof, glass, wood and river rock. City staff told Idaho News 6 that the structure contributes to a potential historic district, even though no district has been formally established.
Because the proposed changes could affect the building’s historic character, the city has elevated the application to a public hearing, giving residents a chance to share their thoughts. Long‑time Boisean Patrick Cusick expressed concern that “the things are being taken away from us,” while neighbor Michael Wilson emphasized that revitalization can coexist with preservation, saying, “We can embrace revitalization and modernize without losing the history, without losing the architecture.”
Public hearing schedule
The Design Review Commission will hold a hearing on November 18 at Boise City Hall, 150 N. Capitol Blvd., 3rd floor, beginning at 6 p.m. Residents who cannot attend in person may still submit written testimony. The commission has asked the developer to revise its plans and has pushed the formal design‑review meeting to December 9.
Idaho News 6 has reached out to ALC Architecture for additional details and is awaiting a response.
Original reporting: KIVI Idaho News 6 Boise metro (local) — read the source article.
