The Cabin literary center near the Boise River is taking steps for its expansion — both inside and out.
As BoiseDev reported in June, the historic building at 801 S. Capitol Blvd., which hosts a non-profit focused on reading and writing, is set for upgrades.
Twin projects are working their way through the City of Boise’s permitting process.
The first would revamp the structure, which was built as the Idaho State Forester’s Building in 1940. The basement of the building would get upgrades for three new classroom spaces and a kitchen area. The first floor would see upgrades, including an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathroom and new lighting. The attic would be converted into new office space for employees. Windows will also be replaced.
Outside, permits show a significant change to landscaping on the property, which is surrounded by the Boise River Greenbelt, Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, Boise Public Library, and Capitol Blvd.
“Site improvements include renovating the lawn and parking lot space into a circulatory
space and main sunken amphitheater gathering space,” Gregg Davis with Breckon Land Design wrote in an application letter. “The space is designed to tie into the rest of the campus while
establishing a unique feel that blends in with the adjacent Cabin Building.”
Crews would dig down to sink a portion of the outdoor lawn area, and a berm along Capitol Blvd. would be built to help screen the space from the road. Most of the existing mature trees will be retained.
“The redesigned outdoor space has various elements and materials that blend in with the existing building, site and history,” Davis wrote. “Materials were chosen to have a natural, rustic feel and modern, simplistic form, including the seat walls, stairs, lawn amphitheater, and planting material. The design incorporates space for custom elements such as sculptures, a wall, and interpretive signage that will reinforce the unique identity of the site.”
The Cabin was nearly removed from the site as part of a push to expand the Boise Public Library in 2018 and 2019. The City of Boise, which owns the property, proposed to use the area for a $110-million+ upgrade to the library under former Mayor Dave Bieter. Bieter proposed moving the building to an area in Julia Davis Park.
The proposed cabin move was one of several factors that led to a successful citizen-led petition which limited the city’s ability to build large-scale capital projects related to the library.
The city, under Mayor Lauren McLean, has dropped the previous plan to expand the library.
The Cabin launched a $2-million capital campaign to fund improvements. The city will need to sign off on the exterior upgrades to the site and building.
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