Idaho Falls

IDAHOFALLSMAGAZINE.COM  7 After many years, the Bonneville Hotel had fallen on hard times, and was in much need of repair and updated systems. Renee Magee, the Director of the City of Idaho Falls Planning Department, long advocated for the restoration of the Bonneville Hotel. The Idaho Falls Redevelopment Agency was able to obtain an option to purchase the site from its owner, Kent Lott. That option enabled the Redevelopment Agency to request proposals from devel- opers for how they would restore the Hotel, and how they would put the Hotel back into active use. Two sets of developers made presentations to the Redevelopment Agency. Their plans included details on how they would finance the construction costs. Both plans contemplated the use of low income housing tax credits to build residential apartments, which would bring more urban living to downtown Idaho Falls. After consideration of the two options, the Redevelopment Agency chose The Housing Company, along with its team of Bateman-Hall Construction as the contractor, and Myers Anderson Architects of Pocatello as the architects. The Housing Company relied on a variety of sources for the costs of the restoration, including funds from the Redevelopment Agency, low income housing tax credits, historic preservation tax credits, and conven- tional bank financing. The Bonneville Hotel represents the last major project in the Snake River Urban Renewal Area, an area in the center of Idaho Falls that the Redevelopment Agency has focused on from 1990 to the present. The Redevelopment Agency itself involves the com- bined efforts of volunteers, the City of Idaho Falls, and Bonneville County, with significant input and cooperation from the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation and other local organi- zations and developers. While the restoration of the Hotel had more than its share of challenges, at every stage there was strong support for the restora- tion from the Idaho Falls community. Throughout the process, the community made it known that the restoration of this Idaho Falls landmark was important and deserved that every possible effort be made for its success. What's Next? Much has changed in the 92 years since the construction of the Hotel Bonneville. But the formula for building a community has not changed. That formula requires both courage to dream big and unity in the hard work needed to accomplish those big dreams. In 1927, the newspaper said that the Bonneville Hotel "stands as a worthy monument to the enterprise and industry of this com- munity." And so it remains. But we should not be satisfied to treat such a monument as an object to help us remember some nostalgic past. Instead, this monument should motivate us to sacrifice for those that come next, just as our forerunners sacrificed for us. May the Bonneville Hotel always inspire us to match the efforts of a past generation that came together to build our future. IF Sources: "New Bonneville Hotel Complete." Bonneville County Heritage Association, www.bonnevilleheritage.com/BonnHotelPg. php?pag=chap2, citing The Times-Register, May 31, 1927 (BCHA Webpage). "Idaho Falls Community Hotel Association." BCHA Webpage, citing The Times Register, May 31, 1927. at the time, they were likely simply the good folks who had faith in each other and who were willing to invest in their common future. Restoration of the Bonneville Hotel Like its initial construction, the restoration of the Bonneville Hotel has been a community effort that has required a united and sustained effort. LEFT: CODY ROBERTS PHOTO / RIGHT: PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF IDAHO / DESIGN: DALLAS MCCARY Bonneville

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