4b. Chapter 1 - The VisionCHAPTER 1 - THE VISION
To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream. Not only plan
but also believe.
Anatole France, French critic, writer
Vision Statement
The vision of Kalispell's revitalized Core Area is to transform from an
industrially -oriented center into a vibrant, pedestrian friendly, mixed -use
neighborhood, focusing upon retail, residential, entertainment, and cultural
amenities designed to proudly and consistently complement the existing
historic Kalispell downtown area.
Conceptual site plan of the Core Area
New development encouraged on an east -west axis New northern development and en -
along Montano Street. complimenting the Historic try to the Kalispell Center Mall, with Opportunity for higher density
Kalispell downtown. The Intended churacter would an outdoor refoil. 'downtown' locus. residential, with great views and
be a free -lined. pedeshlon•focused, 2.4 story mixed Ideas include a new outdoor pe- '1 access to the hall and park
use development with ample opportunity for upper- destrlon plots along the new troll New bridge'gotewaY
level residential unite. system to downtown. and link
New western 'Focal Point':
to opoltk5nal Halls
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community center. etc The funcriaj�
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pathway, to ease kahiic. t�t direct connection between
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Center Street Is given sidewalks n
and boulevards, and because New Eastern Focal Point:
now the prope dies open to the ThIs could be a new fine cuts center, a
sheet and to the new predestdan xa ,i rs new library, etc, located near Wood- -
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more deslreable Properties. side museums and gallerks.
The character of Main Sheet Is u Propert[ei in this area would
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'd have access to Center Streel
The Courthouse, our existing historic southern and the new pathway, making
Focal Point, becomes the Inspiration behind.- r'ju them much more desirable
the new east and west focal points along �}
Montano Sheet
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How might the City of Kalispell look in the next 50 years? More importantly,
how SHOULD it look? This plan seeks to provide that vision for the Core Area
of Kalispell as we chart a new course for this part of our community. A course
that is respectful to the character and scale of the existing city and that builds
upon the existing uniqueness of both the community and the region. One that
encourages density and pedestrian activity, takes advantage of underutilized
areas, and transforms them into amenities. Finally we envision a course that
adopts a new pedestrian -friendly route of circulation, and connects existing
parks and trails together, actively joining them with the downtown area.
Using downtown Kalispell's charming historic character and the centrally -
located Flathead County Courthouse as site design influences, the new design
of downtown Kalispell's Core Area is intended to be a vibrant and lively
continuation of historic downtown Kalispell, extending east -to -west along what
is now West Montana Street, one block north of the Kalispell Center Mall -
currently a tremendously underutilized and underdeveloped area. As an
organizational principle and to provide architectural `endpoints' or `focal points'
to this east -west axis, attractive, civic -oriented buildings (library, arts center,.
convention center, etc.) are intended to be positioned in the center of these
street views, harkening to the design and central location exhibited by the
existing historic courthouse. This centralized organizing concept would allow
the city to build upon its historically unique urban planning scheme in a
consistent and attractive manner.
All along this new east -west corridor, there would be mixed -use buildings
consisting of retail and office uses on the first floor; office, residential, or hotel
uses on the second floor; and generally residential on the upper floors. Instead
of numerous land -absorbing surface parking lots, which tend to take away
from the density and charm of a downtown, second and third floor parking
structures or underground parking would be the norm. Parking would exist
within well -designed vertical parking structures that mimic the downtown
character. Such structures would maintain a first floor retail presence so as
not to introduce blank spots or dead zones in the pedestrian framework of this
area. Where possible, underground parking would be promoted as well.
The character and scale would be influenced by the existing downtown of
Kalispell, using a similar palette of materials and creating a very strong
pedestrian -scaled atmosphere with shops and markets, lower -scale lighting,
ample trees and landscape, and other various downtown attractions. Near the
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intersection of Main and Montana Street, building heights could be encouraged
to extend several stories above the surrounding architecture, to further create
higher density in the core of Kalispell, which ultimately leads to self-
perpetuating vibrancy and activity in the downtown of Kalispell.
The transformation of the railroad bed and the creation of a new pedestrian
and bike trail system in its place is intended to be a dynamic and lively method
of pedestrian activity in and around town. This new pathway is intended to be
more than a simple sidewalk; the intent is to create what is often referred to as
a "linear park system", where the path touches areas of activity and interest all
along its entire length, occasionally widening into expansive green spaces,
passing through residential neighborhoods, or drawing alongside retail areas.
The new downtown trail would link seamlessly to the existing trail system that
heads to the west of town, linking also into the path that accesses Lone Pine
Park. On the east side, the trail is intended to become an attractive new
gateway to Woodland Park; it is also intended to be the catalyst for a new trail
that eventually links to other parks and trails to the east and north of
downtown.
Additionally, it's understood that the railroad through the downtown core area
has traditionally been a severe barrier to north -south traveling vehicles, with
only a handful of streets currently linking the entirety of the northern and
southern halves of town. The concept plan creates the opportunity to develop
several new street connections all along the pathway, allowing vehicles to cross
the path from north to south much more frequently, loosening current
bottlenecks and allowing transportation to `breathe' a bit easier throughout
town.
The following pages try to capture the vision for the Kalispell Core Area in
words using 10 scenes of key locations in the Core Area. Each scene or view
shows the current situation counterbalanced by renderings of what could be.
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East Side - Rail Bridge
East Side - Rail Bridge
The existing rail bridge that spans Highway 2 to the east would no longer be
needed if the railway system is removed from downtown. But rather than
demolition, it would exist as an opportunity to allow the new pedestrian trail
system to safely cross Highway 2 and head north toward Lawrence Park and
other trails. And because the existing bridge would need new guardrails and
other details, the intent is to design the bridge as an attractive `gateway' into
downtown Kalispell from the east, welcoming travelers as they pass beneath it
and into the revitalized downtown area.
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Railroad Tracks Above Woodland Park
East Side - Railroad Tracks Above Woodland Park
The area above Woodland Park along the existing railroad tracks is among the
best -kept secrets in the downtown area; a short walk up along the railroad
embankment rewards a person with panoramic views in all directions spanning
from Lone Pine Park, Woodland Park, the Swan Range to the east and a peek
into Glacier National Park through the gap in the northeastern range. Turning
the tracks into a trail would create a marvelous opportunity to convert the
surrounding steeply -graded areas into higher density residential apartments
and condominiums, built gracefully into the hillside, allowing immediate walk-
out access to the trail system linking them to the retail and entertainment
amenities offered downtown while turning Woodland Park into the occupant's
immediate "front lawn".
The sloped and treed area along the western and northern border of Woodland
Park as it rises to meet the railroad is currently overgrown with dense, scrubby
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vegetation. It is an unsafe environment for pedestrians and more conducive for
transients. The plan speaks to cleaning up and thinning out the vegetation on
this slope allowing it to be a new, safe and inviting gateway from downtown to
the Woodland area, via the new trail system. It is envisioned that a new
outdoor amphitheater could be built within the existing slope in the northwest
corner of the park providing a new venue for outdoor music, plays, and other
attractions, with Woodland Park and the distant Swan lunge as a backdrop to
the stage. The current underutilized Flathead Electric Cooperative (FEC)
substation at the corner of Woodland Avenue and Center Street could be
converted into a temporary or permanent trailhead, parking facility for the
amphitheater and new gateway into Woodland Park.
Intersection of Main Street and Montana Street
(looking south)
View 3: Main Street and Montana Street (looking south)
The existing view southward on Main Street is that of a busy 7-lane highway,
with narrow sidewalks, industrial light fixtures, and nary a tree in sight. The
Draft - 9
current environment is not inviting for pedestrians and not conducive for
outdoor seating associated with restaurants and cafes. The long-range vision
for this area is to make it an attractive destination for pedestrians by widening
sidewalks, planting trees, adding benches and lower -scaled light fixtures,
reducing the number of drive lanes and adding convenient angular parking
stalls. All of these measures serve to slow vehicular traffic and enhance the
role and experience of the pedestrian, thereby attracting businesses to invest in
the downtown core. These same design principles are also envisioned in the
existing downtown area, to again enhance the vital role and experience of the
pedestrian. Additionally, as architecture is encouraged northward into this
area surrounding the new trail system, the intent is to influence the designs to
be complimentary and respectful of the existing historic architecture of
downtown Kalispell through the use of appropriate materials, scale, and
character.
Main Street and pedestrian trail
(looking west)
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View 4: Main Street and Pedestrian Trail (looking west)
With the railroad tracks removed and a linear trail in their place, the trail will
need to cross Main Street. The likely crossing would be the current location of
the railroad tracks at the intersection of Main Street and Market Street. This
intersection is situated between Center Street to the south and Montana Street
to the north making the crossing at this location a convenient walking distance
between the two streets.
This crossing would be at the nexus of north - south sidewalks leading
downtown and the new east - west trail system, increasing its importance in
terms of the overall trail system and requiring that the method of crossing Main
Street is comfortable, interesting, and above all safe. The new design concept,
as mentioned in the text from View 3, seeks to narrow Main Street to a more
comfortable walking distance, add trees, and very likely include both
crosswalk -marked pavement and a new stoplight or pedestrian light. In this
manner, the new flow of bikes and people along the new east - west trail
system can integrate with Main Street and downtown Kalispell in a dynamic
and safe way.
Mall Plaza and the Pedestrian Trail
C
Draft -11
View 5: Mall Plaza and the Pedestrian Trail
The area north of the Kalispell Center Mall is an example of the unfortunate
blight that is created when an otherwise centrally -located and theoretically
valuable portion of land is cut off from everyday pedestrian and vehicular
circulation (due to the existence of the railroad tracks), thereby rendering it
undesirable for development due to inaccessibility and non -visibility. Of
course, this all changes dramatically when the tracks, once a barrier, are
removed and a popular new, well -traveled trail system is introduced directly
through this area. The result is literally a night -and -day comparison; what was
a barrier is now an attraction; what was blight is now in high demand. In this
case, the opportunity for the mall to expand northward is entirely possible.
However, the expansion needn't be a physical connection to the mall's current
indoor -oriented architecture; rather, expansion could take place in the form of
what is often referred to as a `lifestyle center', a method of essentially turning
the interior mall inside out, allowing people to walk along outdoor streetscapes
from shop to shop. This concept of street front shop design is identical to the
intent of the architecture envisioned in the new Core Area (as described in the
site plan narrative), and would create a new and lively pedestrian -focused
shopping area to the north of the mall. It is envisioned that a new main entry
to the existing mall would be located on this new north fagade, visually
attracting visitors from the busy Highway 2 to the north. Even more exciting is
the potential to create a large new outdoor plaza/gathering space at this new
north entry to the mall, which would serve as a new venue in the downtown
area for farmers markets, attractions, and festivities of all kinds while linking
directly to the new east -west trail system.
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2nd Avenue West North and Idaho Street
(looking south)
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VIEW b
View 6: 2nd Avenue West North and Idaho Street (looking south)
As mentioned in the narrative for View 5, this street is envisioned to be a new
`front door' view corridor to the Kalispell Center Mall and its front pedestrian
plaza. Retail, office, and residential spaces would grow along this street, and
the mall has the opportunity to celebrate this new entry area with an iconic
clock tower or some other such attraction, drawing attention directly to its
front door. This view also encourages roof top access for living and dining to
expand use and to create a more human scale. It also encourages wider
sidewalks and abundant landscaping combined with reductions in street width
at key pedestrian crossings.
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Center Street and 71h Avenue West
(looking east)
LI
VIEw 7
View 7: Center Street and Th Avenue West (looking east)
This is an area that, because of its industrial rail history, over time, has
developed in a series of Quonsets, similar warehouses, gravel parking and
single -story service buildings along Center Street. In addition there is also a
confusing network of unlinked roads just north of the tracks, and a surprising
amount of hidden open space along the current railroad right-of-way. Center
Street is also a well -used travel route as traffic is funneled to Meridian Road to
head north on one of the few streets that currently allows passage over the
tracks. The removal of the tracks once again breathes life into an area that
was once choked -off from vehicular and pedestrian travel, allowing the new
trail system to cleverly weave through areas that are envisioned to be
townhouse -style walk-up homes, light retail areas along Center Street, and a
large new city park for west -side residents. Additionally, throughout this area
streets would be reconnected across what was previously the railroad track,
thereby freeing up traffic along Center Street and giving this part of Kalispell
some much -needed traffic flow permeability from north to south.
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West Side Railroad at 5th Avenue West North
(looking east)
VIEW 8
View 8: West Side Railroad at 51h Avenue West North (looking east)
Similar to the area noted in View 7, the area west of the mall is another "no
man's land" that's been created as a result of the existence of the railway
throughout its long history. Roads don't connect, and a surprising amount of
unused open space exists around the tracks in this location. The opportunity
that arises with the transformation of the rails -to -trail system is one of newly -
organized and aligned streets, and a walking trail that leads people between the
retail opportunities and pedestrian plaza areas surrounding the mall, and the
new parks, townhouse residences, and existing trail system to the west. Along
the way, it is envisioned that quaint and interesting retail opportunities will
arise directly along the pathway, where folks can stop off of the trail and have a
snack, buy a book, meet an old friend, or find other interesting diversions.
These are the random encounters and experiences that make life interesting in
a properly designed cityscape.
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Montana Street
(looking east towards the Main Street)
View 9: Montana Street (looking east toward Main Street)
The design intent of this area is to be a vibrant and lively continuation of the
historic downtown of Kalispell, extending east -to -west along the entirety of
Montana Street. As an organizational principle and to provide architectural
`endpoints' or `focal points' to this east -west axis, attractive, civic -oriented
(library, arts center, convention center, etc) buildings are intended in the center
of these street views, paying homage to the "centralized" location exhibited by
the existing historic courthouse at the southern end of Main Street. The idea is
to build upon this very unique aspect of Kalispell's historic urban design
history, carrying it forward into the new vision for Kalispell's future
development. Note the building shown at the end of the street in this sketch,
which is intended to represent a new arts center, library, or some other major
civic function. All along this new east -west corridor, there would be mixed -use
buildings consisting of retail and office uses on the first floor; office, residential,
Draft - 16
or hotel uses on the second floor; and generally residential on the upper floors.
The character and scale would be influenced by the existing downtown of
Kalispell, using a similar palette of materials and creating a very strong
pedestrian -scaled atmosphere with shops and markets, lower -scale lighting,
ample trees and landscape, and other various downtown attractions.
Montana Street at the intersection
of Montana Street and Main Street
(aerial view looking east)
View 10: Montana Street at the intersection of Montana Street and Main
Street (aerial view looking east)
This is the same viewpoint as described in View 9, just elevated to an aerial
view to further describe the potential character and density that would be
encouraged along Montana Street over many years of development. Note the
design intent of once again focusing upon the pedestrian experience by
providing widened sidewalks, trees, plants and benches, attractive light
fixtures, shops with awnings, and the like. Vehicles would be well
accommodated with angular parking and well -designed parking structures in
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strategic locations. Pedestrian crossing areas would be well -marked with
accent paving. Art and sculpture could be introduced in key locations to add
additional interest and beauty. The intent of this new neighborhood would be
to encourage a higher density of full-time residents who live, work, and shop in
this area, people who will happily call this neighborhood their home, and will
come to care for it, keep it safe, clean, and vibrant in a manner that becomes
self-perpetuating. Architecture would be encouraged to be thoughtful and
consistent with that of the historic downtown, but certainly appropriate to the
technology of the age of its construction, with emphasis placed upon smart
design that takes advantage of natural light, the region's dramatic views, and
ample access to the outdoors.
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