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Livingston URA discusses downtown outreach, website improvements and walk-audit pilot for intersection upgrades
Summary
Members reviewed results from the "Who Does What Downtown" outreach event, discussed building a more user‑facing URA web presence and outreach materials, and heard that the city will host a Western Transportation Institute walk audit this spring that could lead to a pilot of reusable intersection improvements potentially funded by the URA.
At its April 22 meeting the Livingston Urban Renewal Agency reviewed recent downtown outreach, discussed a proposed public-facing website and marketing materials, and received staff notice that a walk audit and pilot intersection improvements are planned in coordination with Montana State University's Western Transportation Institute.
Board members said the March/April "Who Does What Downtown" event was well attended by local business owners and representatives. City staff and board volunteers reported roughly 10 attendees signed up for follow-up contact; presenters included city staff, grant program representatives and local partners. Board members asked that staff be permitted to email attendees using the URA email alias rather than individual personal accounts; staff said they would check with Grant (city staff) and IT about outbound alias capability.
The board discussed a one‑page downtown enhancement summary to include before‑and‑after photos and application examples to increase program uptake. A city staff member reported that a contract with a consultant, Brianna, was delivered to the consultant for signature and that the consultant prefers project‑based task orders rather than ongoing hourly work.
On capital projects, staff said two public‑works projects remain in the URA district and that initial estimates in staff discussion were approximately $1,200,000; staff explicitly stated it was not specified whether that figure covered both projects or only the first and asked to confirm final numbers before strategy planning. Board members asked whether sidewalk or intersection rehabilitation could be financed through URA funds; staff explained property owners are typically responsible for sidewalks adjacent to their property but intersection and crossing improvements in the public right of way are generally the city's responsibility and are commonly funded through public works or URA partnership requests.
Staff announced the city has contracted with Western Transportation Institute to conduct a short walk audit in the coming weeks, likely an evening session timed to start around 5:30 p.m. Staff said the walk audit could inform a small pilot of intersection/public‑realm treatments — for example, temporary, reusable elements such as planters or curb extensions — that would be installed for evaluation (planned to be in place before Memorial Day and removed after the busy season) and later re‑used at other sites if effective. Staff indicated that URA downtown enhancement funds (DRA money) could be used for implementation and that a future URA request for pilot funding is likely should the audit recommend treatments.
Board members asked for clarification about forming subcommittees, the rules for out‑of‑meeting communications, and whether the URA could pursue targeted sidewalk repair or intersection improvements. Staff said they would consult the city attorney or grant administrator for procedural and quorum advice and would bring finalized budget numbers and a proposed pilot funding request to the URA for consideration.
Next steps: staff will circulate the walk‑audit schedule and outreach materials, check IT and city procedures for URA outbound email alias use, finalize consultant contract task orders, and return to the URA with final public‑works cost estimates and any formal funding requests for pilot intersection treatments.
