Committee schedules Jan. 14 meeting on SE 4th lighting; sidewalk and lighting projects move toward bidding

Forrest Sanderson said the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency will hold a landowner meeting on Jan. 14 at The Front Porch (109 W. First St., Laurel) to discuss proposed lighting on SE 4th; he will distribute invitations and Zoom information to landowners and committee members.

Agency members also reported that the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has approved Sidewalk & Lighting Project #1 and that Triple Tree Engineering plans to advertise the project for bid in January 2026. Triple Tree’s task order work on an SID (street lighting district) cost analysis is nearly complete, with the consultant noting a planned submission of a 99% report and estimates for client review in mid-September 2025 (per the consultant’s timeline). The committee said the establishment/finalization of a street lighting district still must be completed before the project can proceed.

Members discussed related future projects, including additional Main Street lighting and a possible parking lot on railroad property; Dean Rankin reported that Fox Lumber has expressed interest in collaborating when detailed designs are available. In other updates, members noted a Big Sky EDA training opportunity for businesses with foreign ownership and that Myrna Beartooth of Beartooth RC&D discussed a submitted OR grant application.

The committee did not take formal votes on the lighting or sidewalk items at the Dec. 8 session; members laid out next steps including landowner outreach, finalization of the street lighting district, and preparation of bid documents.