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Missoula to convert 8-acre brownfield into about 200 affordable homes under unified development code
Summary
Mayor Andrea Davis told City Club attendees the city adopted a unified development code and is partnering with the Missoula Housing Authority and United Housing Partners to redevelop an 8‑acre North Avenue/Johnson Street brownfield into roughly 200 homes serving households between about 30% and 70% of area median income.
Mayor Andrea Davis announced at City Club’s April 2026 State of the Community forum that the city has completed adoption of a unified development code and is moving forward on a brownfield redevelopment expected to create roughly 200 homes geared to lower‑ and moderate‑income residents.
The mayor, Andrea Davis, said the city used EPA brownfield funds to clean an 8‑acre industrial parcel at North Avenue and Johnson Street and will partner with the Missoula Housing Authority and United Housing Partners to build the homes. “Most of those will be affordable rental homes serving people between 30% area median income and 70% area median income,” Davis said.
Why this matters: the unified development code is the municipality’s new rule book for where and how housing and commercial uses are built, the mayor said, and the brownfield project is explicitly meant to advance housing affordability while linking residences to transit and trails. Davis noted the parcel sits next to Montana Rail Link Park, the Bitterroot Trail and is within about a 15‑minute bus ride of other services, which she said will allow residents to rely on fewer cars and support climate goals.
Details provided at the forum include: the site cleanup relied on EPA brownfield funding; the project is a city‑partnered redevelopment that will transfer land to the housing partners; the mayor described the target affordability range and emphasized a mix of rental and potential homeownership opportunities adjacent to existing transit and trails. Davis said proceeds from sale of the land will contribute to the city’s affordable housing trust fund.
Context and funding: Davis framed the project as part of a broader city “portfolio” approach to surplus lands — thinking of multiple parcels together to meet housing, economic and climate goals. She credited partnerships with the county and state, and said the unified development code is intended to streamline and clarify how such projects move through permitting.
What happens next: the mayor invited public engagement on the city lands initiative and referenced other concurrent projects, including Midtown Commons (deed‑restricted first‑time homebuyer opportunities) and riverfront work that will also contribute funds to housing. At the forum she urged residents to review plans and provide feedback at upcoming open houses and notices from the city.
