Dangerous ‘Public Nuisance’ Building in Southern Idaho Will Be Torn Down

I’ve lived in Twin Falls for nearly 20 years, and this building has been vacant the entire time.

Over those 20 years, I have seen the building literally fall apart. I’ve also seen numerous ideas presented for what should be built there…and none of them have come to fruition.

READ BELOW FOR THE CURRENT OWNER'S PROPOSED PLAN FOR THE SITE

The City of Twin Falls is done with the waiting and has publicly recognized the eyesore that the building is and the danger it poses to the public. Because of that, they recently voted to tear the building down and hand the owner the demolition bill.

Demolition Decision: City Council Tackles Twin Falls' Troubling Landmark

In January, during a City Council Meeting, the 7 voting members voted unanimously that the building needed to come down. Now they are looking for bids on a business that can safely do the job.

The City Manager’s declaration about the property cited various state and city code violations regarding the building at 660 Shoshone Street East. The report cited Idaho Code 50-334 and Twin Falls Municipal Code 7-1-19 in regards to the building being a public nuisance and presenting a significant health and safety concern.

There have been various reports that the building has become a hotspot for homeless and drug users to congregate, causing damage and graffiti, despite the signs on the exterior of the building calling it unsafe, and windows and doors being covered in boards.

A spray painted warning on a wall reads 'To all (urbaners?) there are dangerous homeless people here'. Additionally, children frequent the areas near the building, especially at the Twin Falls City Park and St. Edward’s during school and summer activities.

We Finally Know What is Going to Happen to This Vacant Idaho Building

The was talk in recent years that the building would be turned into a Charter School and later that it would become townhomes. The property is currently owned by Galena Opportunity Inc. (Galena Equity Partners), and their website still shows the location as the future site of the 6th and Shoshone Townhomes.

Townhomes in that location would be great, as seen across the park with the Park Place Townhomes.

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The motion only needed a majority vote to pass, but was passed unanimously by the council on January 13th, 2025.