Urban Lindsay

Boise unrolls the welcome mat. . . and it's not pretty. . .LITERALLY

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:50:00 +0000

Eight years ago, as we were moving from Salt Lake to Seattle I distinctly remember turning to my then-boyfriend and saying as we clipped along I84 westward through Boise: "What a F*@#ing shithole - who would ever live here?" in a sneering tone of incredulity. As fate would have it (and perhaps as karmic retribution). . . I would eventually live here.

Unfortunately, what we beheld eight years ago along the 84 corridor is what still greets drivers headed west along the interstate: a scarred, barren, industrial landscape littered with boxcars, dilapidated train tracks, faded, windowless warehouses and vast stretches of pavement covered in semi-trailers. The image screams the Chamber's mantra: "Welcome to Boise - a great place to live, work and visit!"

Right?

Well, not really.

I am reminded of my initial impression of Boise EVERY time I drive home from visiting family in Utah, and each time I cringe at the impression we as a city are making on EVERY road traveler that glances at the landscape greeting them and chooses to drive on - never even giving the *real* Boise a chance to capture their hearts as it did mine 4 years ago. . .

After years in Seattle I was ready for a new adventure - thus I struck out in search of *greener* pastures (as if it gets any "greener" than Seattle).

My dad was actually the first to suggest Boise when I mentioned my quest for a new Western city to call home. I resisted initially - largely because of the impression the city had made on me that fateful day eight years ago when I drove through the first time. After hearing his oft-repeated praises of the city, however, I finally caved and agreed to "check it out". My dad - having experienced the Boise that many Boiseans fiercely love & defend to outsiders - wisely instructed me to "KEEP DRIVING from 84 all the way down Vista until you crest the hill . . . and reserve your judgment until then."

Lucky for me I listened to my dad for once. Sure enough, after the barren stretch of 84 (and after the run-down store-fronts along Vista), it was like an oasis appeared from the desert. The further I got into the heart of the city the more I fell in love with it.

Like they say about true love - when you fall, you fall hard: Four months later I closed on my new home in Boise's historic Hyde Park; Six months from taking Dad's advice and eight years after my initial impression of the city, I was a newbie Boisean (pronounced without a "z" for those of you who haven't yet called Boise home) and in the nearly four years since I've never been happier.

As much as I'd like to think of myself as unique (as those of you who know me can attest to), I highly doubt that the initial impression I had of Boise is something solely I can claim. I'm not a planner, and I'm not a politician, but I am a passionate citizen and the message that keeps ringing in my head upon reflection of my experience is: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”.

This is a mantra that I think we as Boiseans need to truly take to heart. As a community seeking to grow & thrive, we should ask ourselves everyday: "What impression are we making on outsiders?" While a lot of thought seems to be given to what impression our quality of life, schools, businesses, entrepreneurial spirit, tax incentives, etc. make on the world at large, we need to simultaneously direct some thoughtfulness to what impression our *looks* are making on outsiders.

If it looks like a duck but trumpets like a swan aren't we confusing people? If we want to be swans shouldn't we present ourselves as such?

SW Idaho Residential Green Building Collaborative

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:16:00 +0000

The SW Idaho chapter of the USGBC is organizing a group collaboration at the Idaho Green Expo at The Boise Center on the Grove July 18th from 10:00am-Noon. Room TBA

The collaboration will serve as an introductory forum to discuss a mission, goals and forming and organizing a high-level task force to continue the efforts toward identifying opportunities and finding solutions within the residential green building industry to increase market share. The gathering of this collaboration is to discuss residential green building and the ideas, challenges, barriers and issues surrounding residential green construction. Attendees will be from all aspects of the residential building industry, each bringing their knowledge and background to the table for discussion. The collaborative meeting will be moderated and a draft agenda will be in place to expand on from the attendees and prioritize topics during the collaboration.

A brief summary of the goals of this meeting:

Bring together major stakeholders from the residential sector to identify the challenges that are impeding market penetration and develop solutions that overcome the identified challenges. To promote cooperation between residential professions that will minimize both real and perceived challenges and misconceptions.

The Goal of the Collaborative is to discuss and work toward increasing awareness and education as well as the percentage of new and existing housing that meets or exceeds existing voluntary codes.

If you are interested in attending, would like further information or have any comments, experiences or input regarding residential green building to share please feel free to contact Hans Glenn (208)-559-8421 or by Email: hans_glenn@yahoo.com.

How the local Chamber infected Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:12:00 +0000

I don't know about all of you Twitter users out there, but since I first joined Twitter over a year ago I've seen a lot of change. I'm certainly no #TwitterSnob and I certainly wasn't among the early, early adopters back in July of 2006, but since my Twitterversary of May 6, 2008, my stream has gone from a select few uber-geeks and early adopters to every Tom, Dick & Harry who considers himself to be an "entrepreneur".

I remember the day that local Twitter celebrity, and early adopter, Tac Anderson posted a blog on Tech Boise naming "Boise Online Social Networkers". There were a paltry 62 of us that he knew of in Boise. . .

I also still remember awkward Tweetups when groups of notoriously geeky, socially-shy nerds got together to share Moon's milkshakes and awkward conversation. Tweetups in Boise at that time weren't: Networking 101. The purpose of them was certainly to meet the people you'd been carrying on conversations and exchanging ideas with online, however, they were REAL. The experience was more akin to internet dating than Chamber of Commerce Business After-Hours; we weren't there to sell to one another or ask for a referral, we were there to come out and say hello and maybe meet some new friends - no strings attached. And it worked for business precisely because it wasn't about business - it was about people - and it was FUN! Our streams were relatively small and it was easy enough to keep up with one another's Tweets, carry on meaningful dialogue and get to know each other. No longer. . .

Not surprisingly word leaked about this great new "business tool" and Twitter exploded. Celebrities jumped on, news stations picked it up and many of us in the local Twitter community sang its praises far and wide. It wasn't long after that the Boise Twitterverse began to change: the dialogue, the people, the connections, the relationship dynamics, even the tone changed.

Today, just over a year later, my stream is so diluted that I can't even keep up with the people I care about most. I can't remember the last time some of my original Twitter pals Tweeted, let alone the last time we @ messaged each other or planned an impromptu Tweetup. Certainly tools like Tweetdeck are meant to help with such tasks and do so to an extent, but the fact that using Twitter takes almost as much time to manage as a part-time job is enough to discourage my formerly casual, yet frequent involvement.

I suppose that we should hail the mass adoption of new technologies; I certainly appreciate and applaud the assimilation of such; however, I can't help but feel that the "safe zone" of my early Twitterverse - where I could get to know people and make new friends on the merits of our connections as individuals, has been replaced by something far less desirable and far too common - "networking". Part of the magic that drew me to Twitter is gone and has been supplanted by the very forces that fuel my dislike of Facebook and Myspace.

I have always detested "networking" as a farce which is why I avoid events like BYP Happy Hour & The Chamber After-Hours like The Plague. To be fair, I am not saying that they don't have their use for some individuals and their business, but the business-card pushing, referral-requests, phony smiles and superficial small talk of such events send shivers down my spine.

I have built both my friendships and my business on one-on-one interactions and relationship development. There is no shortcut to bypass this step and there is no substitute for taking the time to get to know the people you follow. Having 50,000 followers isn't going to guarantee that you have 50x the amount of business or friendships as someone with 1,000 followers. If you think that it will, however, I encourage you to stay off my stream, keep your business cards & referral requests to yourself and head back to the Chamber of Commerce "networking" events.

#KeepTwitterReal

Rally for Boise's Whitewater Park!

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Rally for River Recreation
Thursday, June 11
6 to 8 pm

Rally for River Recreation and show your support of the Ray Neef MD River
Recreation Park

What: Rally for River Recreation
Where: Quinn's Pond, at the end of Pleasanton Avenue, between Idaho River
Sports and the Greenbelt
When: 6 to 8 pm, Thursday, June 11

For what we hope is the first annual kickoff to the paddling season on the
Boise River, the City of Boise and the Friends of Parks is calling for as
many paddlers as possible to show their support by participaing in a photo
shoot in Quinn's Pond on Thursday, June 11, at 6 pm.

The photo shoot will be followed by a short update from Boise City Mayor
Dave Bieter on the status of the Ray Neef, MD, River Recreation Park and
some exciting announcements. While some details are still being coordinated,
the group is contacting food vendors, entertainers and retailers to support
the event, set up displays and participate.

Parking access will be available from 31st Street and Regan (two blocks
North of the Idaho River Sports parking lot), and the announcements will
take place from the dock furthest from the Boise River in Quinn's Pond.

Idaho River Sports is donating raffle prizes for those who participate in
the photo shoot.

For more information: beth@markley.com, 208-484-4424.

Iowa Street Live-Work Townhomes: Affordable at Last!

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:02:00 +0000

The Iowa Street Live-Work Townhomes in Southeast Boise off of Broadway and Iowa have been on the market almost a year now but it's been a long road to getting them sold. They began their quest with the interior units being listed at $289,900 for 1432 square feet and a lovely view of the strip mall across the street on the corner of Broadway and Iowa. With the market softening as they came online combined with their initial price point and the location, it comes as no surprise they didn't fly off the shelves; however, as the old adage goes: "price will overcome any objection about condition or location," and while the view of the parking lot nor the location have changed, the prices have.

I'm ashamed to say that I hadn't even gone inside one of the units until recently because I'd written them off as unsellable given the location and price point. When the prices finally made it down to $189,900 Urban Nick and I gave them a second look and boy oh boy did they make an impression!

The units are each 1432 square feet, 2 bedroom, 2.5 baths, 2 stories. They feature a modern, open floorplan free of fluff. As you enter you're greeted by floor to ceiling windows spanning the commercial storefront space and 2nd story loft. Each unit is Energy Star certified, zoned for commercial use, has a one-car alley loaded garage, bamboo hardwood floors, gas range and comes equipped with stainless steel appliances and an iPod docking station wired for surround sound. The master bedroom is upstairs directly facing the "loft" but if it were me, I'd use the open loft as a bedroom despite it being open to the downstairs 'storefront' space.

These units truly are a great deal at their current price and buyers are recognizing that. We've put one in escrow and showed another in the last week alone. If you're sold on SE Boise and like modern, no muss-no fuss living, Iowa Street is definitely worth checking out. If you're looking for walkability though, I suggest you steer clear since you're more likely to catch a cab home from downtown than hop on your cruiser (except maybe in summer and if you're in far better shape than me).

Masochistic

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 01:52:00 +0000

As many of you know by now (no thanks to my recent drunken Twitter rampage) my business partner Urban Nick returned to Boise 2 weeks ago.

So what does that mean for the urban world at large?

Who, what, when, where, why . . .

Who - Urban Nick

What - crazy back-to-back scheduling

When - every day

Where - Boise, Seattle, Portland

Why - To grow our business . . . so we can drink margaritas on the beach someday and direct our team via Skype.

A day in the life of an Urban Agent:

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:58:00 +0000

A day in the life of an Urban Agent**

Note: Before you proceed with reading this you should be aware that this a joke. We find it amusing that we are workaholics that account for 25% of the total Boise Keller Williams offices' revenue some months yet most of our days are spent spending time with people over lunches, coffees, dinners, cocktails, etc.

7am: Tell the alarm to fuck off and try to sleep off the hangover from the night before.

10:30am: Brunch with friends. Mimosas to take the edge off.

11:30am: Closing a seller.

1pm: Lunch with a new client. Greasy food for energy.

2:30pm: Closing a buyer.

3:30pm: Business meeting with the team: 4 margaritas, 2 beers and a side of chips and salsa to address the post-post hangover.

4:30pm: Closing a seller.

7pm: Stalking John Doe - potential buyer - over dirty martinis and gin & tonics.

11pm: After party at Urban Cooper's house with the team and friends. It's called social networking. Quick stop at the convenience store for beer.

11:30pm: Dance party.

12:30am: Drunk dialing/texting: "houses are free!"

1:30am: Pass out.

9am: Review iPhone text message history.

REPEAT. . .

When We Were Young

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:50:00 +0000

11/24/2008

When We Were Young

Thanks to a friend my new weekly mantra has become “What’cha gonna do when you cross that line, cross that line, cross that line? What’cha gonna do when you run out of time, run out of time, run out of time?” [1]

So my questions are – What are you going to do when you cross that line? When you run out of time?

We’re all racing to that line – an imaginary one we create for ourselves usually – that we etch into the sand. “When I get X. . .”; “When I achieve X. . .”; “When I have X. . .”

So does getting, achieving, having X really make a difference? Do you cross an irrevocable line in the sand where there’s no turning back? Do you throw down the gauntlet and move forward knowing a true life-altering change in your world has been made or do you scoot across the sand scattering your soft etching of a “line” only to create a new one? I’d guess if you’re like me the latter is your answer. If that’s the case then, why do we place so much stock in standing at that line and stepping over it? What is the line really? What does it represent if it never really is something we cross but instead continually push forward?

Running out of time is the more relevant of these two questions in my opinion. This is something that isn’t easily blurred. Clearly we can pretend in our youth that we will never really “run out of time”, but surprisingly [2] as you age you realize this isn’t really the case. When I was 20 I felt I had all the time in the world to achieve whatever I wanted, however, with each passing year, that optimism is quickly becoming subsumed by reality. I still tenaciously believe we can accomplish anything we set our minds to – at any age – yet, the statistical odds that you will achieve such diminishes greatly as you age. So I return to the question: what are you going to do when you run out of time? Perhaps the more prescient question is: are you going to run out of time or are you going to be one of those few who refuse to accept “run out of”?

This new mantra song of mine closes with: “Don’t you throw it away. . . all we had was good, just like it should – when we were young”.

All we have is good – no matter how young we are (whether in age or at heart). To me this is the message of our generation – echoed in this fantastic electronic song – and the one we need to remain conscious of, because if (or when) we neglect to heed these warnings we will indeed be forced to cross a line and we will find that by crossing such we run out of time.
____________________________________________________

1. The repetition is only an effect of the techno dance character of the song and not of my obsession with said medium
2. To my young cohorts possibly more so than my older ones this may seem like a blasphemy

Rediscovered: Being Single

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:50:00 +0000

I just found this piece that I wrote in 2007 and which holds true today.
________________________________________

Living in the land of single-dom:

Why is it that as singles we have no days of celebration? If you get married you have a giant party and people spend thousands of dollars to buy you gifts that you want and register for in advance; if you have a baby people celebrate and throw you showers and AGAIN - spend thousands of dollars to buy you what you want.

How about the fact that I’ve never been happier than being single? Don’t I get a celebration of the fact that I’ve embraced and have fallen in love with myself - all of my flaws and idiosyncracies included? If anything, this is the hardest thing to do and the rarest - yet it is never celebrated.

There are holidays for couples, for babies, for people that have had babies, but no holidays to celebrate the successful and happy singles that have learned to embrace themselves.

I don’t want or need anyone – and now that I’ve realized and embraced this I’ve never been more free or happier. No one pats me on the back or celebrates my joy though – it’s always questions of “anyone new in your life?” or “how’s your love life?” How about that I’m in love with myself? Not in an egotistical way, but I’m happy with just me and derive my greatest joy out of spending time not with others – and certainly not with men – but with myself. When I’m with me I can be honest with myself and indulge my habits – good and bad.

Today is Valentine’s Day and it’s no coincidence that today and what it represents inspired this tirade. There is a day specifically that celebrates relationships, and not to say that relationships are bad, but in my experience married and coupled people are the most miserable ever. They are also the last and least willing to recognize and admit their unhappiness. Instead of admitting that they’ve sacrificed themselves to some imaginary “greater good” they try to make those of us that embrace single-dom feel that we are the ones that are somehow lacking.

There is no lack in being single – I get to do what I want, when I want and with whom I want. I don’t have to answer to anyone, I don’t have to report to anyone or feel bad about anything I do. I am more honest with myself than ever and understand my weaknesses more than when I was in a relationship and my partner’s strengths helped to mask my own deficiencies. Having to be honest with myself on a daily basis has helped me grow to become the person I’ve always wanted to be. If this is lack then what I ask is the gain in being in a relationship?

I’m gaining more now that I’m single and have learned to accept and embrace this fact, than in the six years I spent in relationships. I learned a lot about myself then as well, but the lessons those relationships gave me never revealed themselves to me until I embraced myself. Although I’m no Aristotle, I can give this advice: To my fellow singles: embrace yourself and embrace your single-dom; learn to love yourself and enjoy every day as you learn more and more about you; to those of you “in love”: be honest with yourself and if what you have is less than what you’ve dreamed of and expected then be true to yourself and save yourself and your partner the future pain from putting off the inevitable and join those of us who are single.

By the way – I’m registered at Manolo Blahnik, Artisan Optics and Neiman Marcus.

Xo Lindsay, eternally single and loving it.

FREE HOUSES!

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:48:00 +0000

Okay, well homes aren't REALLY free, but they're so cheap it's scary. . . You can buy a cute as a button, 2 or 3 bedroom, 1 bath home on the Bench for $0 down and $847/mo. or 3% down and $821/mo.* With the IHFA grants, FHA programs and all the incentives for first time home buyers, it's a no-brainer. Buy now!! Gain equity, get tax breaks and feel all warm and fuzzy inside from knowing you own your own home. Even better, if you're single, get a roommate and it's cheaper than rent!

Come to our FREE Home Buyer Seminar on Wednesday, December 3rd at 6pm at 6305 W. Overland, Boise 83709

To register: http://is.gd/7vnV

For more information contact us today! Don't let the opportunity of the current Buyer's Market pass you by!

Lindsay@UrbanAgentTeam.com 208.841.2263
Nick@UrbanAgentTeam.com 208.272.1933
Jen@UrbanAgentTeam.com 208.602.5372

*figures based on purchase price of $109,900

Urban SUVs

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:27:00 +0000

Urban SUV's aren't the *muffy* mom Escalades or Volvos anymore. . . they're bikes. Go Urban Go!

Federal Bailout Goes Green

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:22:00 +0000

Despite the questionable intent (or intended audience) of the recent federal bailout, as with any mixed bag there are things buried in the bill that progressive greenies can take heart in.

For example, there are numerous incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Solar, wind, geothermal and alternative fuels are particularly rewarded.

Here is a list of some of the tax incentives:

· An eight-year extension of the investment tax credit (ITC) for solar energy.

· A multi-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for energy derived from biomass, geothermal, hydropower, waves and tides, landfill gas and solid waste (through September 30, 2011).

· A one-year extension of the PTC for energy derived from wind.

· Incentives for carbon capture and sequestration demonstration projects.

· Incentives for the production of domestically-produced renewable fuels, such as biodiesel and renewable diesel, and for the installation of E-85 pumps for consumers to fill up flex-fuel vehicles.

· Tax credits of $3,000 or more toward the purchase of fuel-efficient, plug-in hybrid vehicles.

· Incentives for energy conservation in commercial buildings, residential structures and energy-efficient appliances.

So 18 years after Reagan ripped solar panels off the White House, things have come full-circle; the solar industry is now benefitting from substantial incentives for both residential and large-scale solar projects. The existing 30 percent solar investment tax credit has been extended to 2016, bolstering the confidence of utilities, investors and solar startups to make long-term investments in larger projects such as power plants.

Even better for home owners interested in solar - the $2,000 cap on the federal residential solar tax credit has been removed, which means that after December 31, 2008, homeowners who install a new system can now claim a 30 percent federal tax credit. Couple this federal credit with state incentives, and the cost to install solar is now dramatically slashed in some states (not Idaho).

To learn more, visit the following sites:

Speaker Pelosi's summary of the bill

HR 7060 in its entirety

The Aspen, Phase 2: Affordable, Urban Living

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:27:00 +0000

Like many of you, we here at The Urban Agent Team have been eagerly anticipating Phase 2 of The Aspen (on the SW corner of 8th and Front) in BoDo since we first saw the Sketch-up renderings for this forward-thinking, modern, architectural oasis in downtown Boise.

The Aspen is a condo project that embodies urban living in both price point and amenities. Released to the market in two phases, Phase 1 comprised 28 units on floors 10-17, ranging from $449k to nearly $1.5 million. With price point, amenities and finishes, this Phase was primarily targeted to the baby boomer urbanite and sold quickly. Only 8 units remain at the time of this posting.

In contrast, newly available Phase 2 comprises 50 units on floors 5-9, ranging from $179k to $499k, catering to the echo boomer urbanite to whom location and walkability matter more than size and finishes.

Interest in, and excitement among, the buying community looking for the convenience of urban condo living has been strong for both phases.

Many have questioned this unique project from the beginning and many more wondered whether developer Scott Kimball would be able to pull off a sell-out of the project in today's market.

After Urban Jen and I toured the project today, however, I believe that victory is firmly within his grasp. I can say, hands down, that Scott has nailed it with The Aspen. He not only understands, but is catering to, both of his target demographics - echo and baby boomers - as well as the pricing demands of today's market.

Scott we here at UAT applaud you and wish you all the best of success. We have no doubt that your project will stand as a testament to the fact that good design and a thorough understanding of your audience, combined with competitive (and realistic) price points, is the recipe for development success in any market.

The Aspen 3D rendering

For more information or to schedule a showing of The Aspen please contact us today!

Lindsay: 208.841.2263, lindsay@urbanagentteam.com
Jen: 208.602.5372, jen@urbanagentteam.com
Nick: 208.272.1933, nick@urbanagentteam.com

Historic = Healthy?

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:42:00 +0000

Apparently a new study was recently released that shows that those of us who live in historic neighborhoods are less likely to be overweight.

Why? Because we have the IT factor: "walkability" in historic neighborhoods. The key here is that we can walk (or bike) to shops, restaurants, grocery stores, friends' houses, etc. We don't have to jump in our minivans and trek through a suburban subdivision just to go shopping or to the park.*

Well, that's all fine and dandy if you're one of those urbanites who doesn't consume vast quantities of booze in neighborhood bars with friends and eat out at all the delicious restaurants nearby far too often**. . . it's a balance - just saying.

So what's the message? I guess if you boil it down I'd have to say: "If you're overweight, screw the gym and buy a house somewhere in a historic neighborhood near downtown." And now you know just who to call to do it. . . think of The Urban Agent Team as your hip new trainer. And I promise we'd be far more fun than the gym - in fact, we'll take you out for dinner and drinks downtown to kickstart you on your program after closing.

*whoever did this study clearly did not study urbanites who wear stiletto heels and skirts everyday
**definitely not directed toward any particular urbanite, least of all me.

Millenials do "Co-ho"

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:17:00 +0000

As increasing numbers of Millenials see the value of home ownership, but lack the funds to purchase in urban areas or can't get qualified on their own, "co-hos" are becoming quite the rage. "Co-hos" or Co-housing, is an option for some who want to start gaining equity by buying while prices are low; they overcome financing hurdles and achieve home ownership by going in on a house with one or multiple friends. Though co-hos require a high degree of trust between you and your "housemate" (quite literally), they can be quite rewarding as well.

Take your hand off your back Boise!

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:05:00 +0000

With all the blabber in Boise about "top 10 this" and "top 10 that" it's about time for Boise to come to terms with the fact it didn't make a list. And a list that seems pretty telling for the future Urban Metrocenters:

The Inc. 500 of fast-growing businesses lists these metro areas with the most companies on the list:

Washington, DC, 39 companies (explained by having government contractors supplying a war)
New York, 31
Atlanta, 29
Chicago, 27
Los Angeles, 26
Dallas/San Francisco, 20
Boston, 18
Miami, 14
Philadelphia/Seattle, 13

Here's the other interesting list, metro areas with the most companies per million residents:

Provo, Utah, 14.2 companies
Austin, 7.5
Washington, DC, 7.3
Raleigh, NC, 6.7
Colorado Springs, CO, 6.6
Salt Lake City, 6.4
San Jose, 6.1
Atlanta/Scranton, PA, 5.5
San Franciso, 4.8

Now, I never expected to see a beacon of Boise light beaming at me from the first list; however, the second one would have been a boon to our spirits here in the Treasure Valley - and deservedly so. Instead, Provo - yes, THE Provo (where Brigham Young lives on) is on the list. And Scranton?? Sounds too close to Scrotum to make me pack my bags.

At least I know where we should be eyeing for expansion next. . .

Twitalin Nation

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:42:00 +0000

I read an article fairly recently entitled "Is Google making us Stoopid" and I've been mulling it about in my mind since - mostly trying to make sense of exactly what I wanted to say in regard to it. As I became increasingly addicted to Twitter and all of the fantastic uses for it (both business and personal) my thoughts slowly coagulated into a solid opinion worthy of sharing.

As I write this I'm *half*-watching a previously TiVoed show, my phone is buzzing with text and email messages, I have 6 other browser tabs open, and my TwitterFox is continually popping up on my screen with ticker style friend updates.

The web has given me ADD - there is entirely too much information to process even for a voracious reader such as myself. My eyes flit from screen to screen and if I can't scan a page in half a second and find all the information I want quickly I'm off and running in another direction.

The information superhighway allows us instant access to a plethora of resources - images, articles, opinions and news, but is there a point where the epicurean nature of our web experiences become excessive?

Is the information superhighway becoming the informational equivalent of a rush hour traffic jam?

The author of the Google article argues: "what the Net seems to be doing is chipping away my capacity for concentration and contemplation. My mind now expects to take in information the way the Net distributes it: in a swiftly moving stream of particles. Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski."

I couldn't agree with Carr more on this point. With a database of information so large that my paltry human capacity for comprehension couldn't digest even a fraction of it in a single lifetime, I move swiftly along the surface looking for tidbits that provide me a digest of events, topics, opinions. And I'm not alone. . .

The ever growing popularity of status update social networking sites like Plurk, identica, Utterz, Brightkite, Zkout and most popularly, Twitter, demonstrate this. We follow one another in RSS style feeds to our phone, other social networking sites, Google Reader or simply just the site's homepage. I can quickly log on or scan my text messages to see if any conversation, link or news feed is relevant to my day. If not, I cruise right on by, speeding up to catch the next feed that is.

The death of depth in our assimilation of information is attacking even the web itself. Blogs are increasingly shorter, titles increasingly catchy and - at least in my world - traditional social networking sites are increasingly ditched for status style sites. I no longer have the concentration capacity to peruse an individual's home page or read several pages of information. I dart, dash, scan and scurry rather than delve, digest, search and synthesize.

My Myspace, Facebook and LinkedIn pages have become my 21st century address book and mailbox rolled into one - where I store my friends so that if necessary I can instantly invite them to important events or disseminate details of my life - nothing more.

My quest for information when I'm researching a subject involves one or two Google searches and a few peeps into a few links - if I can't scan and grasp the message in a matter of moments I'm out the door never to return.

The coagulation could continue, but to avoid accidental irony, I too must cut myself off here or risk losing you.

In essence - in a world of jet skiers, if you want web success: keep it short and sweet for those of us scanning the surface.

Boise Area of Investment Opportunity - 30th Street Extension

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:24:00 +0000

INVEST HERE:

Proposed Development Plan:

ITD Site Redevelopment (State & 30th, Idaho Transportation Dept Offices)
*Retail on State
*New offices for ITD
*Transitions to Neighborhood
*Space for new Grocery Store
*New Public Green with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Stop
*Parking behind Shops
*Residential Overlooking the River
*Apartments and Townhouses Adjacent to the Neighborhood
*New Parks & Squares

27th & Pleasanton Neighborhood Center
*Streetscape Improvement on 27th
*Reoriented Block Fronts
*New Shops with Upper Story Offices & Residential
*Parking Accessed from Alleys

30th & Pleasanton
*2-3 Story Mixed Use Buildings
*Park Entry Landscaping
*New Residential Townhouses Facing 30th with alley loaded garages
*Upper Story Residential or Office

Main & Fairview Transit Oriented Development
*Streetscape and Pedestrian Improvements on Main & Fairview
*Residential Overlooking the River
*Streetcar Extension Connecting District to Downtown
*Parking in Rear Yard Lots & Garages
*Hotels
*Connections to the Trail

Desired Public Space Plan:

ITD Site
*Public Green Space for Outdoor Seating and Functions
*Urban Park
*Street Trees

Existing Ponds with Better Public Access
*Improvements of Passive Park Site
*Additional Trails, Amenities and Access Points for the Neighborhood

Large Landscaped Medians Along 30th
*Proposed Medians Will Add to the Design of the Parkway
*Provides a Safe Haven for Crossing
*Connects the Parkspace and Neighborhood

Ester Simplot Park Site
*Location of Park Development
*Safe and Protected Crosswalks and Signals for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
*Provide Access and Parking for the Active, Passive and Whtie Water Activities

White Water Park
*Proposed Location of Kayak Trail
*Provide Drop-Off Location for Boats
*Provide Overlooks and Access Opportunities for Pedestrians and Bicyclists, Emphasizing Provision for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Street Trees
*Develop and Implement a Planting Scheme Including Species and Spacing
*Planting Strips Between Roadway and Sidewalk

Southern Connection to Park and to the Green Belt
*Proposed Access to Southern Portion of Park Site
*Urban Park

Streetscape Design to Provide a Gateway
*Use Street Trees and Streetscape Design to Create a Gateway
*Develop a Planting Scheme including Species and Spacing

Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:57:00 +0000

watching wyatt earp and playing online. i love sundays. nap time is next.

Mobile post sent by UrbanLindsay using Utterz. Replies.

Going Green

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:39:00 +0000

I remember when I was living in Seattle the newest trend among cultural creatives was to have Un-Baby Showers. Yes, as in celebrating their choice not to have children. These events usually occurred after someone had their tubes tied or a vasectomy and were celebrated in the same fashion - with a gift registry, booze, cigars and the works. Now it turns out that not only is having no children cool, it's green too - which makes it DOUBLE cool.

Death of a Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:40:00 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, like it or not, the American Dream of Suburban Sprawl is in its death throes.

Energy, environment, health and accessibility concerns are spurring the convergence of both sets of Boomers - Baby and Echo - in a flurry of New Urbanism.

Whether or not you're ready to kill your car quite yet the writing is on the wall for the future of suburbia and it reads "NA BRU".

We're cresting critical mass now. Our landscape, lives and living situations are changing everyday. . .we're morphing into urburbia the same way we went into suburbia - gradually, then suddenly.

The only question is: which side will you be on when we get there? Ask yourself. Are you action or inertia?

The Petshop Boys predicted this years ago. If only we'd listened. . .

Boise = "Rocky Mountain High Tech"

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:12:00 +0000

According to Kiplinger.com Boise is: "Rocky Mountain High Tech":

Computerized, High-Rise. . Parking??

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:46:00 +0000

When I lived in Japan I lived in awe of these structures. Considered a fixture for many years in Europe and Asia where urban density concerns have been real for decades, these structures are finally gaining credence in those American cities most struck with density issues and skyrocketing land values. All I have to say is: Welcome to the land of plenty (of cars)!

Urban Cow Tipping

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:59:00 +0000

So apparently it seems that not only do many of us urbanites long for a Smart Car of our own given our gas woes these days, but the urge to tip them has began in 2005 and has been gaining momentum as some have confessed:

Urban Idaho Income Growth Slows

noreply@blogger.com (Urban_Lindsay) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:21:00 +0000

According to the Idaho Business Review, Idaho per capita personal income growth in Idaho's five urban* areas was down in 2007.

Per capita income rose to an average of 3.6 percent to $32,838 down from a 5.7 percent jump in 2006.

On the other side of the range in rural Idaho that figure rose 5.6 percent to $28,013.

Does anyone else see a problem with this? If *urban* Idaho expects to draw urbanites from the likes of Seattle, Portland, San Franciso, etc. we have A LOT of work to do. Great recreation and quality of life can only go so far if there aren't jobs that pay enough to pay for that "unparalled" lifestyle. . .

And the icing on the cake - 3 restaurants in the most urban area of Idaho (downtown Boise) have announced their closings in the last 2 weeks. . . OUCH!

__________

*in Idaho is defined as:
Boise
Pocatello
Idaho Falls
Lewiston
Coueur d'Alene