downtown Archives - David Mark Brown

Downtown Nampa: the Waving Guy

July 4, 2012July 12, 2012 by David Mark Brown

While not exactly downtown, located where 7th Street S. turns into Yale, the waving guy embodies the ethos of the downtown revival movement nationwide. I want to infuse his neighborly vigor into Downtown Nampa (DNT until better name is created) as well.

Who is the waving guy?

I don’t even know who he is, but I waive to him whenever I drive by. On comfortable days the gentleman of note sits in his driveway in a plastic, white lawn chair waving to everyone who passes. Some days he waves to me multiple times as I scuttle back and forth from Home Depot.

Why is he so important?

It’s hard to pinpoint the waving guy’s importance.

Downtown Nampa: Coy Bettie’s

June 29, 2012July 2, 2012 by David Mark Brown

Downtown Nampa The campaign begins.

I first heard the term BoDo 10 years ago while living near the Depot in Boise. Thus began the campaign to reimagine the once desiccated interior of the thriving (ill-planned) capital city of Idaho.

At 83,000 residents Nampa, Idaho is the second largest city in the state. Both the redneck and spiritual center of the state, Nampa is the rural, God-fearing workingman’s urban hub.

After a stint in Utah, my wife and I have returned to Idaho. Not to the empty rustling of Boise, but to the soul-cleansing pace of Nampa. Having suffered a series of brutal economic blows and setbacks, downtown Nampa now teeters at the brink. Or maybe it’s a turning point.

Step aside BoDo. It’s our turn. It’s time for some DNT. (Official revival name yet to be determined, but work with me on this.)