Senior students in the Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning (LAEP) program integrate urban design and planning challenges in the fall semester design studio at Utah State University. Current student work will focus on the Emerald/Franklin and Orchard/Curtis quadrant area within the Central Bench. Last Fall 2014 the students produced concepts for development in the quadrant based on the vision for Boise's Central Bench. Students worked with the City's Department of Planning and Developmental Services (PDS) and with residents and small businesses.

This Fall 2015 students will dig deeper into the challenges encountered by residents, business leaders and potential developers in this district. We identified five key land use activities and focuses that will help create a structure for future growth and redevelopment of the Central Bench area. Each team will  be familiarized with key documents from the City: COMPASS, specific sections of the Blueprint Boise (Comprehensive Plan), and the Boise Central Bench Neighborhood Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. The five student teams will develop programs, concepts and illustrative plans for each of their focus areas, but will also coordinate with one another to develop their programs and designs to fit the needs of a changing and growing population.

The 5 Focus Areas are: