Business Improvement District Letter to CouncilKalispell Business Improvement District
P. O. Box 1997
Kalispell, Mt. 59903
ISPER`, (406) 253-6923
DOWNTOWN
August 3, 2015
City of Kalispell
PO Box 1997
Kalispell, Mt. 59903
Dear Mayor Johnson and Council members,
This letter is presented to you today as a request that the City Council consider a work session with the
Kalispell Business Improvement District. As we witness the economic recovery and reinvestment happening
in our downtown we would appreciate the opportunity to discuss common issues and interests at your
earliest convenience.
Historic preservation of buildings and other structures add to a community's understanding of and pride in its
history. As commercial sprawl and roadside development make more and more places look the same, it
becomes important for communities like ours to keep their identities intact. Even one or two striking historic
buildings can help to define a community and hint at its past. We are fortunate in Kalispell to have such a
large district with over 50 buildings on the National Historic Register. Now is the time to make sure that this
district is here for the generations yet to come.
We recognize that the planning department is in the process of completing a downtown plan and believe
that it is important to encourage development with coherent design standards that insure our sense of
history, community pride, and understanding of the community's past and present in the entire downtown
district. It is also hoped that the plan will incorporate funding solutions for some of the more complex issues
facing the downtown district such as truck traffic on Main Street, water pressure and potential alternative fire
suppression, financial incentives to invest downtown, and the review of potential liquor license changes with
the district that might encourage an entertainment district downtown.
It is appreciated that the City of Kalispell and the Business Improvement District have been able to partner
on many projects within the downtown. We believe that these partnerships such as the BID buying 18 street
trees last year and the City planting them, the BID paying to have the street benches refurbished and the
City installing them, our work together to maintain the parking lots downtown and empty the decorative
garbage cans, and the BID's purchase of the flowers in the downtown have all been successful. We hope
that together we can continue to address the infrastructure in the heart of our city, downtown.
Together, we would hope to advocate for sensible policies, infill within the downtown, and a visually
appealing downtown core. We would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you within the next two
months. Many thanks.
{ 'Best reg ds on behalf of the Board of Directors,
J
.q 10
Pam Carbonari
Coordinator