“The Grove works. It’s not the Plaza San Marco, but it does what it was planned to do because it is people scaled…Good streetscapes breed human interaction. The Grove and almost all of Eighth Street do that.” – Charles Hummel [1] It’s difficult to discuss The Grove Plaza without a look back at the urban renewal policies of the 1970s in downtown Boise. “Urban renewal profoundly transformed the look of the downtown core. Known for its corporate headquarters…Boise was also famed for razing historical landmarks. “Boise,” said L.J. Davis, a critic writing for Harpers, “stands an excellent chance of becoming the first American city to have deliberately eradicated itself.” [2] Boise’s redevelopment agency pushed an ill-fated plan to rebuild the heart of downtown with an eight-block shopping center. More than 80 old buildings fell….Not until the shopping mall proposal went west did downtown strongly rebuild. In 1986, after a board of architects demanded a new direction, Boise City Council signaled a change: The future of the city center would be benches and public art on tree-shaded walkable sidewalks; a brick plaza on Eight Street would provide a community gathering place.