Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears downtown development and public-safety updates, parking change
Summary
Neighborhood Council #7 received multiple downtown reports: the TIF Board forwarded recommendations to the City Commission, the police said staffing is nearly restored and SROs will patrol downtown this summer, and the Parking Commission approved two hours free in city garages.
Chair Trevor Mikkelsen opened the May 11 meeting of Neighborhood Council #7 and the council received several updates on downtown revitalization and safety. The Downtown Development Partnership said the newly created TIF Board has forwarded its recommendations to the City Commission and that a new Community Resource Representative position will support continued revitalization, with possible expansion to the west side.
Chief Newton told the council the Great Falls Police Department is close to being fully staffed and said School Resource Officers will again patrol the downtown area over the summer. Council members were also told that the Great Walls downtown murals will be painted in August during ArtsFest week.
The Parking Commission has approved a two-hour free parking allowance on both city parking garages, a change council members noted could affect downtown visitation and business activity. Council members discussed outreach and coordination between SROs and downtown business owners; a meet-and-greet between SROs and business owners was planned.
The updates tie into ongoing downtown safety and economic development efforts; council members signaled continued attention to coordination among the Downtown Development Partnership, the police department and parking authorities.
The council moved on to other agenda items after receiving the reports.
