Simpson Secures Funding for Downtown Boise YMCA Catalytic Development Project in FY23 Omnibus

Washington, D.C. – Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson today highlighted the inclusion of the Downtown Boise YMCA Catalytic Redevelopment Project in the FY23 Omnibus package that was signed into law December 29, 2022.

The project was included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill at Congressman Simpson’s request through Community Project Funding (CPF).

“Congress undoubtedly has a spending problem, and as Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to fight against excessive government spending.  However, eliminating any one of the projects I requested through Community Project Funding would not have reduced federal spending by a single penny,” said Simpson.  “That money would just have gone to another project in a different state or to a Biden-controlled federal agency.  At the end of the day, I will always fight for Idahoans’ hard-earned tax dollars to come back to Idaho to make meaningful improvements to our wonderful state.”

The $4 million in funding is designated to redevelop 2.5 city blocks located between State St/Jefferson St and 10th St/12th St in Boise with a new YMCA facility.  The Downtown Boise YMCA currently serves 17,000 members per year.  With completion of the new facility, they anticipate serving 23,000 members, with 1.2 million visits per year.  The project’s community-based approach will address a wide range of social determinants of health and community needs, such as housing, healthcare, early childhood education and childcare, workforce development, transportation and accessibility, and financial education.

“Boise and its surrounding communities are some of the fastest growing cities in the nation,” said Simpson.  “This important project will increase the ability of the YMCA to collaborate more closely with its partners in the healthcare, education, government, and non-profit sectors to increase its capacity to provide comprehensive solutions for the challenges this growing community faces.”

“The Y is passionate about the work we do to serve our community every day,” said David Duro, President and CEO of the Treasure Valley Family YMCA.  “With the future Downtown Boise YMCA, we will be able to not only continue, but expand the services we provide to support more of our friends and neighbors.  Once complete, this collaborative space will be a long-lasting cornerstone of the city, addressing many of the most pressing needs that are present in our community, state, and country.  We are grateful for the community project funding Congressman Simpson secured as we turn this dream of a bright future into a reality.”

“The Downtown Boise YMCA and its public service mission have long labored under inefficiencies created by dated infrastructure.  This project will not only bring things up to date but also will allow the YMCA to efficiently serve residents, their children, and their families — the project will create a real boost in the lives of the tens of thousands of people each year who rely on the YMCA to meet some of their most fundamental needs,” said Patrick Bageant, Boise City Council Member.  We appreciate Congressman Simpson and his efforts to bring federal funding to our local community’s needs.”

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