Invest in Transformation
Are you interested in investing in transformative development projects? Missoula is home to a number of sites and projects in process that have the potential to make lasting positive impact on our community.
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Old Library Block
Project Description
Several years ago, Missoula businessman and philanthropist Terry Payne entered into an agreement with the Missoula Public Library to exchange the 400 block of East Main street, home to Missoula’s recently opened, state of the art library, with the location of the old library on the 300 block. This allowed the library to remain open throughout construction, leasing the property from Payne, and then move a block to the west when its new building was finished. Most city leaders assumed the 300 block would eventually be developed by Payne for housing or retail. However, early in 2019, Payne and his family instead decided to donate the 300 block of Main and the existing library building on the site to the City of Missoula, with no restrictions on the ultimate use of the property. Recently, the City of Missoula adopted a new Downtown Master Plan, following robust public input both in- person and digitally from several thousand people across a variety of backgrounds. Throughout this months-long planning process, members of the community made it clear that a priority of this plan should be to retain Downtown Missoula’s authentic identity, rugged nature, and its inclusivity and attainability, while it develops strategically to remain economically competitive. The Payne Block is ready for an innovative project that utilizes design ideas from the Downtown Master Plan and expands on the recent transformation of this vibrant block of Missoula’s downtown. Development opportunities exist for housing and commercial development and its adjacency to the new library and 3 new downtown hotels make it ready for creative public/private partnerships.
Scott Street Project
Project Description
Located on Missoula’s Westside, the Scott Street parcel is an ideal representation of Missoula’s past and future for development and opportunity. Once the location of the Missoula White Pine Sash Facility, a former lumber mill and wood treating facility, this property has been remediated and cleaned by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to residential standards and was purchased by the City of Missoula in 2020 to encourage development. An active and engaged neighborhood, the Westside values its history in Missoula’s wood and paper products industry while transitioning to a neighborhood that supports homes all Missoulians can afford and amenities that maintain a community where its residents can live and work. Years of planning and community input have been done regarding the development potential for the site including the North Reserve/Scott Street Master plan, a North and Westside community survey, the city-wide housing policy, A Place to Call Home, and an engineering feasibility report for the site conducted by WGM Group for the benefit of MEP. This site is shovel-ready for an innovative public/private partnership and development project that Missoulians and neighborhood residents can be proud of for years to come.
Riverfront Triangle
Project Description
Situated on the banks of the Clark Fork River in the heart of downtown Missoula, the Riverfront Triangle is a site with tremendous potential for housing and commercial development. This opportunity includes several property sites , however, the majority of the site is currently owned by the City of Missoula. There are several adjacent pieces of land available that are privately owned by a development group, but currently up for sale. In 2019, the property was slated for a project called The Drift which was to include a hotel, events center, housing, and parking that has been put on hold indefinitely due to COVID-19. Located in one of Missoula’s Urban Renewal Districts, the site has plenty of opportunities for public/private partnerships which could include working with the city for shared parking, using TIF funding for infrastructure or site improvements, or a commercial partnership with a locally-owned entertainment and events promotion company to manage an onsite event center. The city, downtown businesses, and community are interested in seeing this site transform into model development project and welcome all creative ideas and partners to get that off the ground.