Things are looking up in downtown Idaho Falls, which is seeing its first new construction in more than 30 years with the mixed-use Broadway project.

The historic Bonneville Hotel anchors the district to the north. It too likely will look different next year after multimillion dollar renovations.

Both projects are intended to revitalize a downtown that hasn’t always thrived.

Decades of work and a strong 2017 have created a foundation to build on during the new year, said Catherine Smith, executive director of the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation.

“Last year was outstanding, and now we’re able to really take advantage of that momentum,” she said. “I think the floodgates will open downtown.”

A full slate of summer activities — including a total solar eclipse and air show — provided a boon to downtown business owners last year. An eclipse weekend sidewalk sale attracted visitors and locals alike, Smith said.

“Downtown was hopping all weekend long,” she said.

Annual events, meanwhile, each drew 500 to 700 attendees. There was an Easter egg hunt and autism awareness event for families, as well as adult-oriented beer and wine events at Civitan Plaza.

The Saturday Farmers Market’s move to Memorial Drive, between A and D streets, also drove traffic to downtown shops and restaurants, Smith said.

“They’d shop the market then stay for lunch or more shopping. That was a huge difference this year,” she said. “We’re seeing more folks see downtown, which is exciting. People want to shop local and know where their stuff is coming from and know the people in the stores — which is their neighbors.”

The Farmers Market move and regular events have made downtown vibrant, said Lisa Fischbach, agency principal for MCS Advertising, which moved in 2008 to its current space at B Street.

Fischbach can see from her office window the variety of people drawn to events such as the Alive After Five summer music parties.

“They are having really relevant events that appeal to different demographics. It’s really cool to see the different waves of people coming to set up chairs every week,” she said.

There’s also variety within downtown tenants, including restaurants and retail boutiques, but also law, accounting and other service firms.

“It seems like there’s a really great blend of businesses,” Fischbach said. “We have this thriving economy, and good things perpetuate good things, as does competition. You get better boutiques, food and ideas. I just think 2018 has got so much going for it because all of these things are still changing and improving.”

About 80 percent of downtown retail and office space is occupied, Smith said. Additionally, many vacant storefronts won’t be for long.

“There are some blank window fronts right now but that very quickly won’t be the case,” Smith said.

Expect additional restaurants, entertainment and gathering spaces. Smith also said there have been inquiries related to salons, other beauty stores and office spaces.

“We had properties put on the market that sold very quickly; we’ll see some new things coming out of those new owners,” she said. “A lot of what is happening with the vacant spots is in the air in relation to hard and fast details as the owners go through permitting.”

In July, the Idaho Falls City Council extended the corporation’s business improvement district, which was created in 1997 to collect a self-imposed tax levy from downtown business owners to reinvest downtown.

With the assistance of grant money, there likely will be additional rehabilitation to historic downtown facades.

“Some large building fronts will transform back to what was originally there,” Smith said.

Additional events, including pub crawls, also will be introduced.

Then there’s the Broadway and Bonneville projects.

The Bonneville is expected to see nearly $11 million in renovations, which will result in 36 housing units and 5,200 square feet of retail space. Construction could begin in May.

The Broadway, meanwhile, will include two buildings with a combined 34,200 square feet of retail, office and residential space. There also will be a public plaza and parking structure.

About two-thirds of retail space is already spoken for, and tenants are expected to move in around October or November.

The center should spur additional business development, and attract people who don’t spend much time downtown, Smith said.

“I think that’s going to draw a lot of folks in who drive up and down Broadway without noticing we’re there. That will be a beautiful development to attract a lot of attention, and hopefully we can attract new folks who haven’t experienced downtown,” she said.