Karen
Timchak
Land Use
Consultant
Missoula lies in the heart of western Montana, recently coined "The last
best place." An abandoned railroad right of way in a riverfront, which
bisects Missoula's downtown is the setting for development of a recreational
corridor. Missoula is experiencing revitalization of it's downtown thanks to the
creation of a "reinvestment tax" which skimmed revenues generated by
new developments in the downtown (Urban Renewal District) after a "base tax
year" was established in 1980. The tax was designed to foster
revitalization over a ten year period and then the agency which administers
reinvestment in the renewal district is expected to sunset. With only one-year
remaining and much money set aside the City Council needs to decide on
priorities for the Urban Renewal District.
The riverfront in the middle of this urban area of 75,000
people, hosts beavers, blue herons, mergansers, wood ducks, and rainbow and
brown trout. On a hillside, visible from the downtown, a team of biologists is
considering transplanting a herd of bighorn sheep. The community has a
sensitivity toward enhancing wildlife viewing opportunities, yet some people
still respond. "Do those wilderness people want more wilderness right here
in the middle of town?" This constituency is asking that the riverfront be
a "people place." After many public workshops some compromise has been
reached for riverfront development. Now some questions remain.
Will the Urban Renewal Agency make substantial investment in
a riverfront park system or is the money better spent on more traditional
renewal projects such as building demolition, parking structures and facade
improvements? Will a community which prides itself on providing a quality of
life for its residents, but divided about whether to encourage more in-migration
or promotion of tourism, give the high sign to the Riverfront Park System? These
are the issues Missoula will be wrestling with in the coming year. The
"Downtown Riverfront Plan for Missoula" addresses these issues and
provides strategies for future development. The Plan will be published in
JaJ1uary of 1989, followed by public review and presumably adoption by Missoula
City Council.