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Committee discusses Main Street planters, murals and a $75,000 wayfinding grant
Summary
Committee members reviewed options for planters and storefront decals, noted rising concrete costs and limited staff capacity, and discussed pursuing a wayfinding grant (up to $75,000 with a 10% match) to fund signage, murals and other tourism assets.
The Economic Growth and Development Committee discussed a package of Main Street beautification ideas — planters, murals/decals, sidewalk repairs and wayfinding signage — and reviewed practical constraints such as rising concrete prices and limited public-works staffing.
Staff member (S1) and Committee member (S3) noted that concrete prices have increased substantially (one figure cited around $200 per cubic yard versus earlier estimates near $130), and that each planter box would require about 2.5–3 yards of concrete plus soil, liners and formwork. "Each box is gonna take 2 and a half to 3 yards of concrete," S1 said, noting additional costs for materials and installation. Members agreed that pre-fab options should be priced and compared with in-house construction.
Operational capacity was a persistent concern. Agency official (S7) said limited manpower in public works (and an upcoming surgery for a key staffer) would make in-house fabrication and installation difficult in the near term. S7 suggested the committee consider staggering projects or seeking external suppliers; committee members volunteered to contact regional precast vendors in Spokane and Bellingham to get pricing.
On placemaking and branding, Committee member (S3) pushed for finalizing two decal or mural designs before approaching building owners for permission and measurements. Staff (S1) agreed to add an item to the March agenda to collect designs, measurement tasks and a list of owners for outreach.
Members also discussed a wayfinding grant opportunity. Committee member (S6) told the group the Department of Commerce contact is "Crystal" and said the grant could provide up to $75,000 with a 10% local match; application documents were expected online March 2–3. S6 suggested tying prior planning work into a stronger application for signage, kiosks or murals to support tourism assets in Deer Lodge.
Budget constraints were noted: committee funds were described as limited (S2 recalled a roughly $2,000 discretionary amount previously used for paint programs), so members discussed volunteer-led grant writing, seeking pro bono assistance, or reallocating small local funds to meet matching requirements.
The committee asked members to return with supplier quotes, finalized design options and measurement data at the March 5 meeting so the group can decide whether to apply for the wayfinding grant and how to sequence planter and sidewalk work.
