Kalispell reviews overcrowded Central Garage, eyes $6 million shop and $1.3 million solid-waste storage

Kalispell city staff told the City Council at a work session April 14 that the city's Central Garage is too small to support a growing municipal fleet and that officials plan to seek preliminary engineering and financing for a replacement shop.

The presentation by Susie Turner, Director of Public Works, said the Central Garage maintains more than 325 pieces of equipment used across city departments and that the existing building—about 16 feet tall—lacks the ceiling height and bay space to safely service large vehicles such as dump trucks and ladder trucks. Turner said staff will request one additional mechanic in the fiscal year 2026 budget and asked council to consider funding options for a new maintenance facility and a heated solid-waste equipment storage building.

Why it matters: City operations rely on in-house maintenance to reduce downtime and avoid higher costs and scheduling delays when equipment must be outsourced for repair. Council members were shown how limited bay count, low clearances and storage congestion have forced some major repairs outdoors or in other city buildings, extending vehicle downtime and complicating seasonal operations.

Turner said the Central Garage is responsible for preventative maintenance, major repairs and fabrication for all five city…