Boise's 2026 State of the City: Building a City for Everyone
On May 6, 2026, Mayor Lauren McLean delivered her seventh State of the City Address at the Boise Centre, hosted in partnership with the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. The annual event brought together business leaders, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and community members to reflect on the progress Boise has made and the work that lies ahead.

Mayor McLean framed her remarks around a single, recurring idea: Boise's future depends on continuing to invest in the people, neighborhoods, and shared spaces that create connection. Drawing on the city's long history of civic participation, she pointed to past generations who helped shape Boise through projects like the airport, foothills preservation, and neighborhood development, and called on today's residents, businesses, and community leaders to carry that tradition forward.

Housing and Affordability
A central focus of the address was housing affordability and ensuring Boise remains a place where people can continue to build their lives. McLean shared stories from residents concerned about whether younger generations will be able to stay in Boise long term. She reported that more than 10,000 new homes have been added over the past six years, alongside continued progress on deeply affordable housing and units for individuals exiting homelessness.

The mayor also highlighted the Supportive Housing Investment Fund, a partnership with the Idaho Community Foundation. The city's initial $7.5 million investment was matched through community support, reaching the program's funding goal to provide wraparound services for residents transitioning out of homelessness. Looking ahead, the city is exploring neighborhood planning opportunities near the airport and the Micron Technology campus, with an emphasis on well-planned communities connected to jobs, parks, services, and transportation.

Downtown Investment and Small Business Support
McLean pointed to employers like Equifax and Ericsson that are prioritizing in-person work and contributing to a more active downtown environment. She highlighted the role of events like Treefort Music Fest in energizing public spaces and supporting local businesses, alongside new neighborhood commercial developments bringing restaurants, retail, and gathering spaces closer to where people live.

To better support local businesses navigating city processes, Boise created a new Business Engagement Advisor position to help business owners connect with city resources and planning teams. The mayor also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Boise Airport, which recently recorded its highest passenger count ever, surpassing five million travelers in a single year. A new concourse is expected to break ground later this year.

Parks, Libraries, and Public Spaces
Throughout the address, McLean connected Boise's quality of life to continued investments in parks, pathways, libraries, and gathering spaces. Boise voters approved expanded investments in parks and open space in November, with 82 percent voting in favor of continued funding.

New and ongoing projects include a new pool near Whitney Elementary School, additional walking paths and amenities at neighborhood parks, a new pocket park near Flying Y and Cole Road, and future improvements at Molinar Park, Magnolia Park, and the Optimist Youth Sports Complex. The city also announced a $2 million seed investment to expand library access in West Boise. Currently, 75 percent of Boise residents live within a ten-minute walk of a park, with a goal of eventually reaching every Boisean.

Transportation and Public Safety
Transportation and public safety initiatives also featured prominently in McLean's remarks. She highlighted collaborative conversations taking place across the Treasure Valley, including the launch of Keep Idaho Moving, led in part by local business and development leaders. New efforts include increased traffic enforcement, slow zone pilot projects in neighborhoods, quick build traffic calming projects, and safety improvements along Fairview Avenue.

The Boise Police Department's behavioral health teams responded to nearly 2,000 calls over the past year, pairing officers with clinicians to better support individuals in crisis. Boise Fire Department is also using AI-supported wildfire prevention tools to better predict and respond to wildfire risks across the area.

A City Worth the Work
McLean closed her address by urging the community to continue investing in the kind of city that future generations will want to return to, reflecting on everything from volunteers who built the city's original airport runway a century ago to residents who preserved the foothills decades later.
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"Our story has never been about one person," McLean said. "It's been about our community, about what happens when people who love this place decide together, with deep resolve and a whole lot of joy, that it's worth the work."

Mayor Lauren McLean delivered these remarks at the Mayor's State of the City Address on May 6, 2026, at the Boise Centre. This blog post was prepared from a transcript using the help of AI.

On May 15, 2025, Boise, Idaho Mayor, Lauren McLean, delivered her sixth State of the City Address at Boise Centre West, reflecting on the City of Boise’s recent accomplishments and outlining a vision for the year ahead. Framed around Boise’s guiding “North Star” — caring for people — the mayor emphasized the city’s commitment to building a community where everyone can thrive.

In her remarks, Mayor McLean celebrated key milestones, including:

• Progress on affordable housing
• Efforts to address homelessness
• Creation of jobs
• Maintained unemployment rates below the national average
• Highlights of investments in public safety
• Expanded access to parks and open spaces

“Though we have to tighten our belts and look for ways to stretch a dollar this year, I’m proud of the investments we made in previous years, which are now coming to life,” McLean said. “We are making smart investments, supporting our business community, and preparing for the future.”
Looking ahead, residents can expect new artwork and amenities at the Boise Airport and a thoughtful approach to the FY 2026 budget that continues to prioritize people and community well-being.

The address was sponsored by Perigee Group and ICCE. It was followed by a reception, sponsored by CBH Homes,  to celebrate the cities successes.

Read local news coverage of the event here:

• Boise Mayor Lauren McLean gives annual State of the City Address
• KTVB: Boise Mayor highlights housing progress, future in State of the City Address

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, at JUMP in downtown Boise, Idaho, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean delivered her State of the City address to the public. Co-hosted by The City of Boise and the Boise Metro Chamber, the event gathered a significant audience to hear about the city's progress and future plans. Mayor McLean, serving her second term as Boise's 56th mayor and the first woman in this role, highlighted numerous achievements and ongoing initiatives, reflecting her administration's dedication to making Boise a thriving, inclusive city.

Mayor McLean began by acknowledging the support and partnership of the Boise Metro Chamber, city council members, and city employees, emphasizing their roles in Boise's success. She celebrated the city's clean, vibrant downtown, extensive park system, innovative climate actions, and booming business community. Quoting a 1989 New York Times piece, she depicted Boise as an "improbable place," an oasis amidst the northern Rockies, highlighting its unique charm and resilient spirit.

A significant portion of her address focused on the people of Boise as the city's secret to success. She attributed Boise's welcoming and innovative environment to its residents' cooperative spirit, which has been crucial since the city's early days. The mayor recounted how pioneers transformed the high mountain desert into a productive agricultural hub through irrigation and innovation, laying the foundation for Boise's enduring entrepreneurial spirit.
Mayor McLean highlighted the city's remarkable job growth, with over a 4% increase in the past year. She praised local businesses like Micron, which received significant federal investment under the CHIPS and Science Act, bolstering Boise's position as a leader in memory manufacturing and design. The mayor stressed the importance of fostering an environment where businesses can thrive, citing partnerships with companies like American Semiconductor and Exyte, which have brought new opportunities and community engagement to the city.

The Mayor also underscored Boise's commitment to housing and homelessness solutions, describing it as a central focus of her administration. She announced the appointment of a director of homelessness and housing policy to enhance efforts in this critical area. McLean detailed initiatives such as the supportive housing investment fund, launched in partnership with the Idaho Community Foundation, to provide services that keep people housed and support their path to self-sufficiency. This innovative approach, coupled with significant city funding, aims to create sustainable solutions for Boise's housing challenges.

In reference to the city's efforts to ensure that every child can walk safely to a park within ten minutes, she proudly announced that 165,000 residents now live within this proximity to green spaces. She emphasized the importance of creating a connected, walkable, and bikeable city, celebrating recent achievements like the purchase of 80 acres in the eastern foothills to further expand Boise's trail system.

In terms of environmental stewardship, Mayor McLean highlighted Boise's legacy of open space conservation, initiated by community-led efforts like the historic Boise Foothills open space levy. She announced new land acquisitions and trail developments that contribute to the city's vision of interconnectedness and outdoor accessibility.

The Mayor also underscored Boise's commitment to housing and homelessness solutions, describing it as a central focus of her administration. She announced the appointment of a director of homelessness and housing policy to enhance efforts in this critical area. McLean detailed initiatives such as the supportive housing investment fund, launched in partnership with the Idaho Community Foundation, to provide services that keep people housed and support their path to self-sufficiency. This innovative approach, coupled with significant city funding, aims to create sustainable solutions for Boise's housing challenges.

In reference to the city's efforts to ensure that every child can walk safely to a park within ten minutes, she proudly announced that 165,000 residents now live within this proximity to green spaces. She emphasized the importance of creating a connected, walkable, and bikeable city, celebrating recent achievements like the purchase of 80 acres in the eastern foothills to further expand Boise's trail system.

In terms of environmental stewardship, Mayor McLean highlighted Boise's legacy of open space conservation, initiated by community-led efforts like the historic Boise Foothills open space levy. She announced new land acquisitions and trail developments that contribute to the city's vision of interconnectedness and outdoor accessibility.

Concluding her address, Mayor McLean called upon Boise residents to join in common cause to continue building a city that prioritizes inclusivity, sustainability, and opportunity for all. She stressed the importance of unity and community involvement in achieving Boise's bold goals, rejecting divisive politics in favor of collaboration and shared purpose.

Mayor McLean's showcased Boise's accomplishments, future plans, and the community-driven spirit that underpins the city's success. Her speech resonated with a message of collective effort and shared responsibility in making Boise a model of innovation, resilience, and inclusivity.

Following the Mayor's remarks, a celebration reception sponsored by Exyte was held on the 5th floor of JUMP.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors Idaho Central Credit Union and Perigee Group and our sponsors: Albertsons, Ball Ventures Ahlquist, Blue Cross of Idaho, CBH Homes, ESI, Gardner, HC Company, Micron, Simplot and Saint Alphonsus.