Future Missoula: White Paper 2026
A series of suggestions to the Mayor and City Government.
As the year has come to a close and we begin another chapter with our new mayor, it only seemed fitting to talk about the possibilities for positive change around town. The following range in detail and data, but all are meant to provoke better ideas of progress for the Missoula community.
1. Riverfront Triangle
As has been previously mentioned by me – Missoula needs to loosen and/or reduce the number of requirements to develop the private lots still remaining within the area. It’s a depressing sight in the middle of town, when it should be a series of great things benefiting the community.
2. St. Pat’s Broadway Lot
Sadly development of a medical building never came in 2019/2020 due to the pandemic. Since then the hospital has shifted gears in a variety of directions. Similar to the Riverfront Triangle, which this is basically a part of, they city should partner with the hospital to build some form of parking structure couple with commercial. It could be blank office style floors allowing for private or medical to fill the space. This would allow for the most flexibility. Another goal would be to reduce and reuse the surface lots. If enough space is gained in the new structure, then old lots could be developed. All of this helping to better utilize the area.
3. Federal Building Consolidation Plan
As the city and county work through the Federal Building renovations they should also begin lining up what happens with their current spaces once they leave. The city occupies a variety of spaces dotted across downtown. Some of these buildings would make create storefronts for new businesses. Others are offices that local companies might love to use in the heart of downtown. Providing a menu of properties for the public to vet ahead of time would just make for a better transition for all parties. We don’t want more empty spaces sitting around for too long.
4. True Transit Hub
An example of planning for the Federal Building transition would be what to do with the current City Hall? The obvious answer would be a mixed use parking garage with retail on a portion of street level. A same size example of this can be seen 3hrs from us. It could even be integrated into the downtown transit center. The transit center could be expanded slightly, so more regional buses could stop in the center of town vs randomly at the Jefferson Station on West Broadway past Russell. One true bus station for the region and probably Montana.
5. Foundational Development
The city owns a variety of lots and buildings around town. Some of these are under utilized or even empty. There was recent news of the school board debating what to do with certain properties around town – this is a good conversation to start. Examples of repurposed buildings that better support local culture exist in a variety of ways and places. One great success is the Bok in Philadelphia. Foundational development also means literally laying the groundwork for items found in the city’s latest master plan. This includes extending roads and utilities to better spur development. Someone is much more likely to build cheaper housing if they aren’t required to front the bill for every single public service. It’s a little bit of “build it and they will come.”
6. Tax Vacant Lots
Missoula doesn’t just suffer from middle and lower market housing options, but also from empty land. (Don’t panic, I’m not talking about open public lands.) I’m referring to the various empty lots or even surface parking lots scattered around town. There are some owners just sitting on land surrounded by developed neighborhoods. A good way to get that land working for the community is through tax changes, aka tax the land more. Taxing land spurs development, which I’ve already said in other points, and is a new approach to foster healthy growth in American cities. Who wouldn’t love the return of the row home?!
7. Voter Engagement
This isn’t about politics (in the current chaotic sense), but rather about how we can all agree that it isn’t working anymore. People even feel this on the local level. Did you vote for mayor or city council members – doesn’t matter because the data shows that no one did. Yes people voted, but it was sad how low it was, and realistically always is these days. People want to feel like they’re part of their local government. We can get everyone to participate. Why don’t we attempt a new and modern approach, like mobile voting? Alaska just gave it a try and Montana is basically just the ‘light version’ for the continental US.
Conclusion
This isn’t a list of demands or judgements of Missoula, however it is a list of possible improvements for the future. These are serious suggestions for a future city that leads not just the state, but sets an example for smaller communities wondering how they’ll embrace the future ahead. Remember – progress over perfection.
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Just trying to make civic engagement more fun.