Meridian Performing Arts Center Eyed for Downtown Feed Mill Site Near City Hall

MERIDIAN — A performing arts center could one day rise next to Meridian City Hall. On Oct. 14, the Meridian Development Corp. (MDC), Meridian's urban renewal agency, voted to accept a feasibility study from Babcock Design that explores a two-story performing arts center in the heart of downtown Meridian, on the site of the Old Fashioned Feed Mill owned by the Zamzow family.

The idea is very early. No one has agreed to sell the mill, and no money has been lined up to build anything. But the study gives Meridian its first real look at what a downtown arts venue could be.

What the Meridian performing arts center study shows

MDC worked with Babcock Design for about six months on the study, BoiseDev reported. The preliminary plans show:

A 7,857-square-foot auditorium with additional mezzanine seating. A second black box performance space. A gallery, which one rendering shows dedicated to the Zamzow family. A scene shop, a grand hall and classrooms. A potential outdoor amphitheater.

An aerial rendering shows the City Hall plaza with the performing arts center on the south side and a bandshell amphitheater on the north side. The board's Oct. 14 agenda listed a final presentation of the study by Babcock Design and a resolution to accept it.

Why the feed mill site

The Old Fashioned Feed Mill sits at 611 N. Main St., backs up to Meridian City Hall and is across the street from Heritage Square, the upcoming mixed-use project from Ahlquist and The Pacific Companies. The arts center idea has been considered alongside that project. The mill has been a downtown landmark for more than a century; the Idaho Press has reported it was built in 1909 and bought by August Zamzow in 1933.

Ahlquist CEO Tommy Ahlquist told BoiseDev that a performing arts center is "one of those needs" in the Treasure Valley. He said a possible future ballot measure to create an auditorium district in Meridian, and the roughly 1,000 parking stalls planned at Heritage Square, made it worth exploring.

"A performing arts center has the potential to be a transformational community asset. It would create a destination that attracts residents and visitors alike, bringing new activity, energy, and economic opportunity to downtown businesses," MDC Chairman Dave Winder said. He called the study a "prudent first step."

What has to happen next

Callie Zamzow and Ahlquist both say the plans are conceptual and in the "very early" stages. "The conversations with the family and Ahlquist are only just beginning," Zamzow said.

Before anything could be built, the Zamzow family would have to agree to part with the property and find another place for its mill, and funding for the land and the building would need to be secured. Ahlquist said more feasibility work is needed, including who would perform there. The family has not decided whether to use the mill property for the center.

Speaking for herself and not her family at the Oct. 14 meeting, Callie Zamzow said of the renderings: "It's beautiful."

Living near downtown Meridian

Downtown Meridian is already changing, with Heritage Square across from the mill site and the Pine 43 mixed-use hotel and plaza plan nearby. Want to be close to it all? Explore the Meridian city guide, browse new home communities in Meridian and homes for sale in Meridian, or catch up on more Meridian growth news. Thank you for reading Treasure Idaho.