Sara Baker , September 9, 2010 and September 14, 2010
File
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
This collection contains recorded interviews with Boise citizens. Notable topics include Boise Bench history, Greenbelt history, Foothills Levy history, Boise Fire Department history, Boise Police Department history, and personal and political histories of former mayors and councilmembers.
Dates
- September 9, 2010 and September 14, 2010
Biographical / Historical
Sara Baker worked for the City Development Council Alexandria, Virginia. When she met her husband, who was serving in the Vietnam War, they married and moved to Boise. Baker started work with the Boise Community Development Department. She served on the Boise City Council from 1986 to 2001.
Extent
884.2 Megabytes
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Sara Baker served on the council from the 1980s into the first year of the 2000s. Her time on the council spanned: a renewed vigor to develop downtown; how to approach new growth on the outskirts of Boise; and the surplus of funds during the 1990s that allowed for neighborhood reinvestment and an increase in city services.
In two interviews with Brandi Burns on September 9 and 14, 2010, Sara Baker discusses her experience as a member of Boise City Council. She describes the state of downtown Boise in the 1970s and the projects the council worked on including efforts to revitalize the city center. She discusses signature downtown projects that were difficult to construct, such as the Grove Hotel and the convention center. Baker also described the efforts to bring housing to the downtown core., and in the second interview recounts the growth of Boise and annexation, the Foothills Levy, and comprehensive planning.
Sara also discusses how the election of Brent Coles and Ron Twilegar to council helped to spark redevelopment, and recounts the 1985 elections, where the Citizens for Progressive Government mobilized to elect Brent Coles, Dirk Kempthorne, and herself.
Time Index
Interview 1
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction. 00:27 Baker spoke of meeting her husband while he was in the military during the Vietnam war. After getting married they moved to Boise.
01:37 Baker explained that she found a job working with the city of Boise in the Community Development Department before going to work with her husband on their own business. 02:50 Baker discussed speaking with Brent Coles about running for city council.
03: 48 Baker explained that it was her background working with the city development council in Alexandria, Virginia that prompted her to apply with the Boise Community Development Department. 04:07 Baker described the state of downtown Boise in the 1970s. She spoke of how buildings had been torn down and many others were in poor condition. She described the overall deterioration of the downtown during that time.
06:34 Baker explained that the election of Brent Coles and Ron Twilegar helped to spark the redevelopment of downtown Boise. 06:58 Baker discussed the recession of the 1980s. She mentioned that Boise’ population was declining and that there was a reduction of police and fire services.
08:19 Baker discussed her community development work. She spoke of working to build tennis courts and parks throughout the city. 09:20 Baker explained that she ran for city council because she felt that she could do a good job there and since she had a degree in political science.
10:12 Baker spoke of her time on the CCDC board. This included working to keep libraries open on Monday as well as acquiring land for new library buildings. They were also involved in developing park land. 13:07 Baker described the 1985 city council elections. She explained that the group Citizens for Progressive Government mobilized to elect her as well as Brent Coles and Dirk Kempthorn.
16:35 Baker described the dynamics of the city council serving under Brent Coles and Dirk Kempthorn. She described both former mayors as being very solicitous of the council. She spoke of the evolution of the city under each mayor regarding the issues they focused on. 20:40 Baker discussed the revitalization of downtown Boise. She mentioned specifically the development of The Grove. The Grove was designed to be a central gathering place for downtown. She also spoke of the addition of parking garages to downtown. She mentioned the development of numerous new buildings in the downtown area.
30:21 Baker discussed the difficulty the city council had in the building of the convention center. She spoke of working with the Greater Boise Auditorium District and the resistance to the color scheme of the new building. 33:13 Baker spoke of working with United First Bank to complete the Grove. She expressed her satisfaction with the result.
35:57 Baker described the night that the Eastman building in downtown Boise burned down. She described the vast size of the fire and the fear that it would spread. There was an emergency city council meeting the next morning to deal with the destroyed building. 40:00 Baker spoke about the problems they encountered when redeveloping downtown. Among these were finding something to fill the vacancy left by the Eastman building as well as the struggle to rejuvenate deteriorating buildings. She expressed her frustration at having to install fire sprinklers inside of a parking garage.
44:10 Baker described how downtown Boise is vastly improved compared to how it was when she originally moved to Boise. She mentioned that the economics of downtown could still be improved. 45:03 Baker spoke of the need to bring housing to downtown as well as grocery shopping. She stressed the benefits of having a Winco downtown as a means of encouraging people to move downtown.
49:18 Baker discussed the courthouse downtown and how it was intended to incorporate apartments and retail. CCDC believed that having a Winco downtown would interfere with the development of the courthouse plaza. 52:28 Baker described the push to bring housing to downtown. The Idaho Building was the first to incorporate housing.
End Recording
00:00 Introduction. 00:27 Baker spoke of meeting her husband while he was in the military during the Vietnam war. After getting married they moved to Boise.
01:37 Baker explained that she found a job working with the city of Boise in the Community Development Department before going to work with her husband on their own business. 02:50 Baker discussed speaking with Brent Coles about running for city council.
03: 48 Baker explained that it was her background working with the city development council in Alexandria, Virginia that prompted her to apply with the Boise Community Development Department. 04:07 Baker described the state of downtown Boise in the 1970s. She spoke of how buildings had been torn down and many others were in poor condition. She described the overall deterioration of the downtown during that time.
06:34 Baker explained that the election of Brent Coles and Ron Twilegar helped to spark the redevelopment of downtown Boise. 06:58 Baker discussed the recession of the 1980s. She mentioned that Boise’ population was declining and that there was a reduction of police and fire services.
08:19 Baker discussed her community development work. She spoke of working to build tennis courts and parks throughout the city. 09:20 Baker explained that she ran for city council because she felt that she could do a good job there and since she had a degree in political science.
10:12 Baker spoke of her time on the CCDC board. This included working to keep libraries open on Monday as well as acquiring land for new library buildings. They were also involved in developing park land. 13:07 Baker described the 1985 city council elections. She explained that the group Citizens for Progressive Government mobilized to elect her as well as Brent Coles and Dirk Kempthorn.
16:35 Baker described the dynamics of the city council serving under Brent Coles and Dirk Kempthorn. She described both former mayors as being very solicitous of the council. She spoke of the evolution of the city under each mayor regarding the issues they focused on. 20:40 Baker discussed the revitalization of downtown Boise. She mentioned specifically the development of The Grove. The Grove was designed to be a central gathering place for downtown. She also spoke of the addition of parking garages to downtown. She mentioned the development of numerous new buildings in the downtown area.
30:21 Baker discussed the difficulty the city council had in the building of the convention center. She spoke of working with the Greater Boise Auditorium District and the resistance to the color scheme of the new building. 33:13 Baker spoke of working with United First Bank to complete the Grove. She expressed her satisfaction with the result.
35:57 Baker described the night that the Eastman building in downtown Boise burned down. She described the vast size of the fire and the fear that it would spread. There was an emergency city council meeting the next morning to deal with the destroyed building. 40:00 Baker spoke about the problems they encountered when redeveloping downtown. Among these were finding something to fill the vacancy left by the Eastman building as well as the struggle to rejuvenate deteriorating buildings. She expressed her frustration at having to install fire sprinklers inside of a parking garage.
44:10 Baker described how downtown Boise is vastly improved compared to how it was when she originally moved to Boise. She mentioned that the economics of downtown could still be improved. 45:03 Baker spoke of the need to bring housing to downtown as well as grocery shopping. She stressed the benefits of having a Winco downtown as a means of encouraging people to move downtown.
49:18 Baker discussed the courthouse downtown and how it was intended to incorporate apartments and retail. CCDC believed that having a Winco downtown would interfere with the development of the courthouse plaza. 52:28 Baker described the push to bring housing to downtown. The Idaho Building was the first to incorporate housing.
End Recording
Time Index
Interview 2
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction 00:30 Baker vaguely recalls the Boise Vision Plan, then simply referred to as their comprehensive plan, as strategic planning for the city’s development 20-30 years ahead; comments on differences.
1:58 Baker discusses the largest planning initiative that had been undertaken during her time in city council. The Foothills Plan was a very large issue then; a difficult, long process. Comments on the development of homes while maintaining trails and open space. Discusses foothills v. agricultural development. 4:05 Baker briefly discusses the Foothills Levy during Mayor Coles time in office. Mentions that she was not much involved at this point; discusses the issue and her views on spending city and tax payer money. Comments on its success.
6:06 Baker discusses the vaults and basements rumored to be under the city; explains their existence because of urban renewal and destruction of old buildings without proper knowledge; funny anecdotes about their location under parking lots; mentions her views of the good and bad of urban renewal. 8:14 Baker discusses her point of view on public art in the City of Boise then and now. Mentions that during her time on the council she did not find it necessary or wise to spend that money, and goes in to more detail about how much more frivolous it is today.
9:58 Baker discusses setting standards for park properties during her work; working with land developers, i.e. Hobble Creek, and their cost v. city cost. Discusses the process of purchasing land outside city limits to develop when annexed. Further detail on audio recording. 12:29 Baker recalls the area of impact of septic tanks and sewer lines that were outside city limits; wanted extended sewer lines. Discusses the process of extension and the policy of annexation. Mentions the creation of Southwest Boise, and the still-occurring sewer annexations.
14:32 Commenting on people living outside of the city limits using free public services and refusing to pay public taxes. 16:09 Baker discusses the clean-up annexation that occurred during her time on city council. This includes places such as homes and trailer parks inside Boise County that needed to be annexed to form clean lines and to make clear the areas for emergency services.
17:29 Baker discusses areas of impact. Mentions that most properties to the East of Boise are not affected, but to the West are Meridian, Eagle, etc.; more cities run together on the Westside; mentions county negotiations. Discusses the major areas of impact being between Meridian and Kuna, Eagle, and Star. Boise City area of impact issues mostly ended with development of SW Boise. Also discusses negotiation processes. 19:34 Further detail and examples of the Boise, Meridian and Eagle situations. Discusses the impermanence of something until it is annexed.
20:34 Baker discusses the things she most wanted to accomplish when she first ran for her chair on council. Her initial platform had been making Boise better for businesses, creating a better ‘business atmosphere,’ most profitable mall location, park development. Mentions funny anecdote of her first public announcement at Mountain View Park. 23:48 Baker discusses her defining moments by referring to earlier parts of her interview.
24:12 When asked about defining moments for Boise, Baker felt it best for someone who had not been involved in the innerworkings of the City to answer that question. Baker does mention a few issues that needed to be dealt with such as settlements for a Tiger mauling and other Zoo mishaps. Discusses that the view from the inside is a different view of defining moments. 28:00 Conclusion of interview.
Minutes Summary
00:00 Introduction 00:30 Baker vaguely recalls the Boise Vision Plan, then simply referred to as their comprehensive plan, as strategic planning for the city’s development 20-30 years ahead; comments on differences.
1:58 Baker discusses the largest planning initiative that had been undertaken during her time in city council. The Foothills Plan was a very large issue then; a difficult, long process. Comments on the development of homes while maintaining trails and open space. Discusses foothills v. agricultural development. 4:05 Baker briefly discusses the Foothills Levy during Mayor Coles time in office. Mentions that she was not much involved at this point; discusses the issue and her views on spending city and tax payer money. Comments on its success.
6:06 Baker discusses the vaults and basements rumored to be under the city; explains their existence because of urban renewal and destruction of old buildings without proper knowledge; funny anecdotes about their location under parking lots; mentions her views of the good and bad of urban renewal. 8:14 Baker discusses her point of view on public art in the City of Boise then and now. Mentions that during her time on the council she did not find it necessary or wise to spend that money, and goes in to more detail about how much more frivolous it is today.
9:58 Baker discusses setting standards for park properties during her work; working with land developers, i.e. Hobble Creek, and their cost v. city cost. Discusses the process of purchasing land outside city limits to develop when annexed. Further detail on audio recording. 12:29 Baker recalls the area of impact of septic tanks and sewer lines that were outside city limits; wanted extended sewer lines. Discusses the process of extension and the policy of annexation. Mentions the creation of Southwest Boise, and the still-occurring sewer annexations.
14:32 Commenting on people living outside of the city limits using free public services and refusing to pay public taxes. 16:09 Baker discusses the clean-up annexation that occurred during her time on city council. This includes places such as homes and trailer parks inside Boise County that needed to be annexed to form clean lines and to make clear the areas for emergency services.
17:29 Baker discusses areas of impact. Mentions that most properties to the East of Boise are not affected, but to the West are Meridian, Eagle, etc.; more cities run together on the Westside; mentions county negotiations. Discusses the major areas of impact being between Meridian and Kuna, Eagle, and Star. Boise City area of impact issues mostly ended with development of SW Boise. Also discusses negotiation processes. 19:34 Further detail and examples of the Boise, Meridian and Eagle situations. Discusses the impermanence of something until it is annexed.
20:34 Baker discusses the things she most wanted to accomplish when she first ran for her chair on council. Her initial platform had been making Boise better for businesses, creating a better ‘business atmosphere,’ most profitable mall location, park development. Mentions funny anecdote of her first public announcement at Mountain View Park. 23:48 Baker discusses her defining moments by referring to earlier parts of her interview.
24:12 When asked about defining moments for Boise, Baker felt it best for someone who had not been involved in the innerworkings of the City to answer that question. Baker does mention a few issues that needed to be dealt with such as settlements for a Tiger mauling and other Zoo mishaps. Discusses that the view from the inside is a different view of defining moments. 28:00 Conclusion of interview.
Names and Places Index
Boise Community Development Department; Alexandria, Virginia; Downtown Boise; Deterioration of the downtown; Brent Coles; Ron Twilegar; 1980s Recession; CCDC; Citizens for Progressive Government; Dirk Kempthorne; The Grove; Parking garages; Convention Center; Greater Boise Auditorium District; United First Bank; Eastman fire; Winco; Downtown housing; Idaho Building; Boise Visions Plan; Foothills Plan; Foothills Levy; Hobble Creek; Sewer infrastructure; Area of Impact; Boise Zoo.
Source
- Baker, Sara (Narrator, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Collections Repository