In September, the public and College of Western Idaho (CWI) community took advantage of an opportunity to share input on the College's future; participating in a series of insight sessions for a proposed permanent CWI campus in Boise. As part of the due diligence process to purchase property located at the corner of Main Street and Whitewater Boulevard in Boise, CWI has contracted CTA Architects Engineers to develop a conceptual campus design. In an effort to gather community input CTA hosted four insight sessions this week, which saw approximately 300 people participate.
Two sessions for faculty, staff, and students were held on CWI’s campus Wednesday (Sept. 2). Around 200 people visited these sessions to provide input. On Tuesday (Sept. 1) and Thursday (Sept. 3) CTA hosted community sessions at Whittier Elementary School near the proposed site. Approximately 50 people attended each of these evening sessions.
“I am here because my husband and I wanted to make sure our voices were represented in this process,” Tia Chavarria, who lives in the neighborhood, shared Tuesday. “We want to make sure we are all working together. This is a beautiful thing. It’s going to educate and create awareness. We just want to see all of us working together.”
The sessions featured interactive displays, including a chance to rank picture examples of possible campus designs and a place to write in ways to integrate the campus into the community. Participants were also asked to identify where they live, work, play, and go to school on a map.
CTA reported attendees were engaged and provided invaluable feedback. The CTA team will next meet with various local, county, and state agencies and use the information gathered to develop multiple conceptual approaches for the property. A Community Vision Workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Whittier Elementary from 6:30-8:00 p.m. will be the next opportunity to provide feedback.