The City of Kalispell has begun field work as part of an urban renewal assessment and housing survey for the city’s core area.  The first phase of the plan will focus on the core business area roughly paralleling Highway 2 and the BNSF railroad tracks – excluding the mall.  The area encompasses approximately 60 city blocks (see map).  The field work will result in the preparation of a “Revitalization Plan” with a purpose to promote activities consistent with a high quality of life, fiscal soundness, environmental conservation and community conservation. 

The city has contracted with Applied Communications, a consulting firm in Whitefish, to complete the study.  The work is being funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the State of Montana.  Applied Communications is presently conducting preliminary data gathering for the study area.    

The planning process to develop the plan will engage citizens who work, reside and own property in the study area.  A public meeting will be scheduled in early fall to obtain community input on issues, assets, and planning strategies for the area.     The study will examine a range of strategies for revitalization that may include infrastructure improvements, transportation enhancements, housing rehabilitation, redevelopment opportunities, and land use planning.  The plan will also analyze potential financing mechanisms to implement the plan such as Tax Increment Financing, Community Development Block Grant funding, transportation funding and public- private partnerships. 

City Manager Jim Patrick notes, “This is an opportunity to strengthen the community core and provide a vital business area that will benefit all citizens of the community”.    The city has engaged in several successful urban renewal projects in the past and this project will build on those efforts.  The plan will coordinate multiple planning initiatives that will maximize public and private investments.   It is anticipated that a draft of the plan will be available in the Fall.