Community forum approves Neighborhoods Office recommendations for FY25 Energize Your Neighborhood grants

The Missoula Community Forum on March 27 approved the grant subcommittee's recommendations for the fiscal year 2025 Energize Your Neighborhood (Neighborhood Improvement Grant) program, allocating the forum's $20,000 budget to five neighborhood projects.

The forum approved the recommendations by voice vote after the Neighborhoods Office presented seven applications and the grant subcommittee's final ranking and funding suggestions. "If the community forum approves of the recommendations, then the next step will be to take it to city council committee," the Neighborhoods Office presenter said, describing the process and next steps.

The grant program awards up to $6,000 per project to neighborhood-led projects that benefit city residents and deliver lasting improvements. This cycle received seven applications requesting a combined $34,327.51; the subcommittee recommended funding five projects totaling $20,000, the program's budget.

The subcommittee recommended full funding for a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crossing at South Third Street West and South Grand Street in the River Road and Franklin of the Fort neighborhoods. The project's total budget was $20,000; the applicant requested $6,000 and the committee recommended the full $6,000, citing strong community support and matching funds from Council Grove Apartments.

"I think it's amazing that Council Grove Apartments and, listen to their residents, they stepped up and are funding almost all of this project to make this happen," said Clint Whittle Frasier, a Franklin of the Fort leadership team member involved in the subcommittee discussion.

Other approved recommendations included: - Dearborn and Lester traffic circle planters (Lewis and Clark neighborhood): total budget $8,606; requested $2,701; recommended $2,700 (full funding recommended minus $1 for rounding). The subcommittee praised the collaboration with community gardening programs and neighbor-led installation plans. - Bellevue Park tree plantings (Southgate Triangle): total and requested $6,000; recommended partial funding of $3,700. The committee noted alignment with the Bellevue Park master plan and partnership with Parks and Recreation; partial funding was recommended because the project could proceed with a reduced amount. - Pheasant Run Park improvements (South 30th neighborhood): requested $6,000; recommended full funding of $6,000 to replace play area surfacing, add a soccer goal and net, and install benches; scoring materials confirmed matching support from Parks and Recreation. - Dykes bed at Missoula Iris Society Garden (2 Rivers neighborhood): total budget $1,626.51; requested $1,626.51; recommended $1,600. The committee noted specific materials and community-gathering benefits.

Two larger projects were not recommended for neighborhood grant funding: a Sculpture Park installation in Silver Park (total budget $53,881; requested $6,000) and a Rose Park World War II memorial obelisk replacement (total budget $17,000; requested $6,000). The subcommittee concluded these projects had stronger prospects for outside funding sources and therefore were lower-priority candidates for the neighborhood grant pool.

The grant reviewers said they considered community need and support, project feasibility, match funding, maintenance plans, and an expectation that projects be completable within about 18 months. The presenter said the subcommittee held two publicly noticed review meetings, compiled internal department comments from Parks and Recreation and Public Works & Mobility, followed up with applicants for clarifying questions, and returned final recommendations to the community forum.

After discussion, the community forum moved and seconded the motion to approve the subcommittee recommendations. Chris Foster made the motion; Colleen (as recorded in the meeting) seconded. The forum approved the recommendations by voice vote with ayes declared and no opposed, and the Neighborhoods Office will take the approved list to the City Council committee in April for final council action before contracting and implementation.

The Neighborhoods Office urged applicants to coordinate with department land managers and to secure neighborhood leadership-team support (letters or motions) before submitting applications. The office also noted that the program typically awards up to $6,000 per project and that applicants should plan for maintenance and realistic schedules.

The Neighborhoods Office said the five recommended awards total $20,000, matching the program budget; subcommittee members said the group had debated funding choices at length and wished they could fund all seven projects. The committee's deliberations emphasized prioritizing projects with limited alternative funding sources.

The approved projects will now be routed to the City Council committee in April and then to full City Council for final approval and contracting.