Neighbors press Missoula officials on Midtown Commons plan, park size and public engagement

Summary

City staff and Missoula Redevelopment Agency officials presented an early plan for Midtown Commons and answered residents’ concerns about park acreage, transparency, housing affordability, traffic and environmental work. No vote was taken; staff announced a park charrette and further outreach before any council action.

Missoula officials and Redevelopment Agency staff described early plans for Midtown Commons and faced sustained neighborhood concern about park size, public engagement and housing affordability.

Dale Bickel, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the city acquired the former sawmill site to implement the Midtown Master Plan and partnered with Miramonte companies as a developer. "I am the chief administrative officer for the city of Missoula," Bickel said while outlining the purchase, the developer vetting process and a preliminary concept that includes townhomes, a neighborhood park and a multifamily phase of roughly 100 units.

Residents pressed for a larger park and clearer opportunities to weigh in. "We were told this is an underparked area," said Mary, a resident representing a citizens group, describing earlier public planning and asking why the city’s August announcement naming Miramonte did not include more direct opportunity to comment on the developer proposal.

Why it matters: neighbors and advocates framed Midtown Commons as a test of how the city will use public land…

Neighbors press Missoula officials on Midtown Commons plan, park size and public engagement

Summary

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