ISU Boise Center Expansion Increases Facility by 62 percent

Boise - The Idaho State University Boise Center currently occupies 29,000 square feet on Explorer Drive, but that's about to change.

"ISU is committed to increasing access to quality programs to the residents of the Treasure Valley," said Robin Dodson, chief academic officer. "In order to accomplish that goal we need to add to our facility."

The newly acquired space, called the Bridger Annex, is located across from the Boise Center. When complete, the annex will add more than 18,000 square feet of classroom, office, library, and computer lab space, for a total of more than 47,000 square feet.

Several programs will move into the Bridger Annex including the paramedic program with one classroom and lab, the Institute of Emergency Management, Idaho Center for Disabilities Assessment, health care administration, and the new dental hygiene master program.

Boise Center students will gain a new library, computer lab with 26 stations, and a small student union with vending machines, tables and chairs, and large study area.

Some programs will move to the annex before classes begin this fall, according to Patty Tryon, management assistant. The vacated space in the existing building will be used to expand the nursing lab and classroom, add faculty offices, an audiology lab, plus gain one distance-learning classroom.