Blasts rumble through downtown Idaho Falls

The sound of progress has rumbled through downtown Idaho Falls this week as blasting work continues on The Broadway, the construction project which is underway at the corner of Broadway and Memorial.

Blasting was called for primarily because the below-ground parking spaced needed to be cut out of a bed of lava rock.

Over the past couple weeks, downtowners have heard and felt some shaking from the blasts.

This week’s blasts should be the last ones needed to facilitate groundwork for the development, officials said.

When the project is done, it will be the site of two buildings housing approximately 35,000 square feet of retail and commercial business space.

Officials report the blasting is scheduled to wrap up Thursday.

Oppenheimer Development Corporation Vice President Jeremy Malone said the project will ultimately include two buildings, a public plaza featuring a fountain, and approximately 71 public parking spaces. Of those, 49 will be below ground and 22 at ground level.

The first occupants are expected to be moving in near fall of 2018.

The list of new tenants currently includes Bank of Idaho, Lucy’s Pizzeria, Smokin Fins and Parsons Behle & Latimer. Currently, approximately two thirds of the rental space is spoken for.