Missoula council waives daycare requirement for Scott Street sale after providers decline; vote 7-2

The Missoula City Council voted Tuesday to release a contract condition that had required the developer of the Scott Street parcel to construct and provide a daycare space as part of the sale to White Pine Parcel LLC.

Councilor Jones moved that the city waive the requirement that the developer complete a daycare agreement and build a space suitable for a daycare facility; the motion passed by roll call, 7-2.

Councilors who spoke during the discussion expressed a mix of disappointment and pragmatism. Councilor Jones described the decision as “disappointing” but said extensive outreach, including a two-month pause and a working group led by United Way that included Missoula Child Care Advantage and Montana Advocates for Children, failed to find a provider willing to sign a lease. Jones said the project could not proceed while the daycare requirement remained unresolved.

Councilor Jordan said she was disappointed and argued the council should have explored other options, such as building the space and leaving it vacant until a provider emerged; she said she would vote no. Councilor Carlino urged retaining the requirement and noted the city had subsidized the project — he said the subsidy totaled $9,800,000 — and that the developer had agreed to provide at least 4,000 square feet of daycare space at a subsidized rate for at least two years as written in earlier agreements. Carlino said removing the requirement would let the developer avoid that commitment.

Councilors Campbell, Savage and Anderson described extensive, years-long negotiations with the developer and noted market and post-pandemic construction-cost pressures. Campbell and Savage said the city and neighborhood had pushed the project through multiple market shifts; both said the city had exhausted reasonable avenues to secure a daycare provider.

A member of the public who spoke online, Carrie Schreiber, said she was disappointed the daycare provision would be removed and described the loss as a missed opportunity for the North and West sides of the city.

Mayor Andrea Davis’s administration said the project will still deliver a new park, bike lanes, sidewalks and commercial space that helped finance the project. Davis also said the mayor’s task force on city lands redevelopment will work to develop a financial strategy to make future childcare spaces feasible without increasing taxes on current residents.

Vote record and motion - Motion: Release the condition in the sale of a portion of the Scott Street parcel to White Pine Parcel LLC that required completion of a daycare agreement and construction of a daycare space (housing redevelopment and community programs committee recommendation). - Outcome: Approved, 7 yes, 2 no.

Why it matters The decision removes a contractual obligation tied to subsidized housing development and shifts the city’s approach from requiring an on-site childcare provider toward moving the housing project forward while seeking other ways to support childcare in the community.

What’s next The city will proceed with the sale and development by White Pine Parcel LLC and the administration will continue work through the mayor’s task force on city lands redevelopment to identify strategies and financing to support childcare in future developments.