Missoula council OKs $130,000 to buy 28-acre Milwaukee rail corridor for future trail

The Missoula City Council voted 10–1 on June 22 to authorize up to $130,000 from the city’s 2018 open-space bond funds to buy 28 acres of the historic Milwaukee Railroad grade from the Missoula County Airport Authority for use as a future shared-use trail and linear park.

Zach Cington, planning and land acquisitions manager for the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, told the council the parcel is roughly 1.5 miles of continuous rail grade and “a very large parkland space near several residential neighborhoods and it is a rare trail development opportunity.” He said the council would be asked to use $100,000 for a fee-simple acquisition and roughly $30,000 for due diligence, for a total request of up to $130,000.

The Parks and Recreation staff presentation framed the acquisition as a strategic step toward linking the city’s Milwaukee Trail segments and as part of the Great American Rail Trail corridor planning. Cington noted the city is in a long-range design and funding process and that construction of a continuous, high-quality trail could take years and likely require federal grants and phased funding.

Council members pressed staff on scope and cost. Councilor Melson sought confirmation the vote covered acquisition only, not immediate construction; Cington answered, “Correct. Just for securing the corridor.” Councilor Nent and others asked whether acquisition now puts the city in a better position to pursue federal matching funds; staff said having the corridor secured and a concept on paper increases competitiveness for federal planning and construction grants.

Airport Director Brian Ellisad told council the airport had received private interest in the property and that, because airport revenue is primarily fee-based, ``we have to get fair market value,'' and that fair-market appraisal informed the asking price.

Two people spoke during the public hearing. Mike Hargus, president of a nearby homeowners association, urged coordination with county trail planning west of Deschutes and questioned whether the city’s section is the best use of limited taxpayer dollars. James Crosby, chair of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board, urged the council to seize the opportunity and warned land is getting more expensive.

Councilor Cheryl moved the acquisition resolution and spoke in favor of the project’s conservation and regional-trail benefits. The roll-call vote was 10 in favor, 1 opposed (Councilor Campbell). The approved motion directs staff to proceed with acquisition steps using up to $130,000 of 2018 bond funds for the Milwaukee Trail corridor segment.

What’s next: staff said the acquisition is expected to close in the fall or winter pending federal aviation approvals and standard due diligence. Longer-term trail construction, bridge work and final surfacing will require additional design and funding steps over several years.