Boise reviews plans to modernize former Rite Aid on State Street

“It’s not just that things are disappearing, for sort of the Boise OGs, it’s that the things are being taken away from us.”

That’s the feeling in the air as Boise reviews plans to give a familiar downtown building a new look. The City of Boise is now considering a proposal from ALC Architecture to modernize the former Rite Aid on State Street, a structure that has anchored the corner for decades. KIVI-TV reported that the application, which includes three shades of gray stucco, horizontal siding, and black storefronts, has been elevated to a public hearing, giving the neighborhood a direct say in the building’s future.

A Building’s History, Now at a Crossroads

For anyone who has walked down State Street, the building is unmistakable. Its curved roofline, a feature that has defined the streetscape for generations, is a remnant of its mid-century origins. According to the Idaho Architecture Project, the structure dates back to the 1960s, with its glass, wood, and river rock elements all part of its original design. The space itself has a layered history: first a Safeway, then a Rite Aid, and most recently, a temporary home for Spirit Halloween.

A rite aid drugstore at w fairview ave in boise idaho usa

The city’s review process was triggered by a significant detail. The building has been surveyed and found to contribute to a potential historic district, even though one isn’t officially designated there. Because the proposed changes could alter that historic character, the stakes were raised. The developer has since asked to push the design review to December 9, but an earlier opportunity for public comment is fast approaching.

Neighbors Testify at Public Hearing

The city has scheduled a public hearing for November 18 at Boise City Hall, where neighbors can testify before the Design Review Commission. Patrick Cusick, a lifelong Boisean, captured a sentiment shared by many who have watched the city evolve around them.

Boise reviews plans to modernize former Rite Aid on State Street

It’s not just that things are disappearing, for sort of the Boise OGs, it’s that the things are being taken away from us.

Neighbor Michael Wilson agrees, articulating that buildings like this hold more than just businesses; they are repositories of collective memory. “All of those elements speak to me,” Wilson said. “The connection to people where they shopped, where they worked, where they spent time with their kids.”

Yet, the conversation isn’t simply about preservation versus progress. Wilson offers a third way: “We can embrace revitalization and modernize without losing the history, without losing the architecture.” This perspective strikes at the heart of the debate, challenging the assumption that a building’s future must be an either/or choice between its past and its potential.

The Developer’s Next Move and What’s at Stake

For now, the focus is on the public process. KIVI-TV has reached out to ALC Architecture for more details on the project, and the firm is expected to provide revised plans by its December 9 review date. The immediate opportunity for public input, however, is the November 18 meeting at 6 p.m. at the Boise City Hall, 150 N. Capitol Blvd., on the 3rd floor.