City manager details progress, funding and timeline for Livingston community wellness center

City Manager Mister Gager updated the Livingston City Commission on the community wellness center project, describing the site at Katy Bunnell Park, the building program, capital funding raised so far and an operating model that uses a property-tax supported operating district plus a private endowment.

The update matters because the project was approved by voters in a March 19, 2024 referendum to create a special district to support operations, the building is under construction on privately donated money and the city and private partners are negotiating land transfers and operating arrangements that affect public access and future tax impacts.

Mister Gager told the commission the foundation-led project is sited at Katy Bunnell Park, with parking accessed off Gallatin Street and supplemental land under discussion with BNSF Railway and Northwestern Energy that could expand the park footprint. "BNSF has provided the primary parking lot for the facility," he said, and the city has agreements in principle to receive additional parcels that together could expand the park to nearly five acres.

Inside the building,…