Bozeman downtown boards discuss URD projects, FY26 draft budget and planning for URD sunsetting

Bozeman’s Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) board and Urban Renewal District (URD) staff spent the meeting reviewing the fiscal year 2026 draft budget, updates on URD projects and options for responding to the URD’s eventual sunset.

The discussion centered on three near-term priorities: forming a public‑private partnership (PPP) for downtown parking, moving forward on the EHOT Peace Park project, and planning how to transfer long‑term infrastructure responsibilities when URD funds expire. Director Emily (director) opened the meeting by saying the board would review the assessment rate and aim to approve a final budget at the March meeting rescheduled for March 26.

Why it matters: URD funds have paid for a large share of downtown planning and infrastructure. Board and city participants said they must identify which ongoing maintenance and which capital projects will transfer to the city or to property owners once URD funding ends, and whether new revenue tools or a PPP can replace some URD capacities.

Ellie, representing URD staff, said the downtown parking working group is moving from values and goals toward specific actions. The group plans a “shared‑use” program to encourage use of underutilized lots by employees and short‑term visitors and is preparing terms for a PPP that would combine URD and city funds and go to the development community with clear investment parameters. Ellie said the intent is not to “build…