ESI, Kenworth, and Boise Fire Department Team Up for Robust Public Safety Training Event
A Final Farewell for the Boise Factory Outlets as New Trucking Facility Takes Shape
After years of declining foot traffic, the site of the 25-acre Boise Factory Outlet Mall at 6850 S. Eisenman Rd. is once again buzzing with activity this week as hundreds gather for a truly unique opportunity. Instead of shoppers flocking to the location in search of hot deals, Boise’s first responders are descending on the mall over the next two weeks to sharpen their skills and run live training exercises to better serve the community. ESI Construction, Idaho’s largest construction management and general contracting firm, and Kenworth Sales Co., a leading national dealer in heavy and medium-duty trucks, are proud to do their part to support this extensive training event as they ready the site for its future use.
As Kenworth finalizes plans for its newest dealership and maintenance facility on the site, ESI successfully acquired a demolition permit from the City of Boise last week. This allows ESI to begin work securing utilities and safeguarding other infrastructure before further site preparation gets underway, which is expected in early spring. With two out of five buildings rendered safe and secure, Boise Fire and Police Departments have the rare opportunity to train in and around 40,000 sq.ft. of space. From forcible entry and K9 handling to controlled burns and full-scale emergency response operations, the location is serving as a proving ground for hundreds of first responders over the next two weeks.
“We are honored to support those who serve our communities every day,” said ESI’s Russell Davis, the Senior Project Manager who is overseeing the Kenworth facility project. “We spent the past few weeks making sure the site is safe for whatever they need to do,” he added. Working with Kenworth and the utility companies, ESI’s project team improved access to the property and installed fencing and gates to secure the location and enhance public safety. This training event is the result of a strong partnership of organizations committed to making an enduring impact on the community and finding resourceful ways to repurpose a once-beloved local landmark.
After the clean-up, debriefs, and the lessons are learned from this large-scale training event, demolition begins as well as the next chapter for this commercially thriving corner of southeast Boise. The Kenworth facility is well-positioned to serve the needs of the trucking industry while offering Idahoans over 30 new job opportunities. ESI is invested in Idaho’s continued growth and is proud to partner with Kenworth to keep our nation’s trucks and our economy moving forward.