Public Engagement Center

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Get Involved!

Public involvement will help develop the final design of the Downtown SAM project. While the design phase has started, construction is projected to begin in 2027.



Throughout the design phase, there will be public outreach events, public meetings, and the citizen-led project working group will be meeting routinely. Here are the ways you can stay engaged with the Downtown SAM project:


Get Involved!

Public involvement will help develop the final design of the Downtown SAM project. While the design phase has started, construction is projected to begin in 2027.



Throughout the design phase, there will be public outreach events, public meetings, and the citizen-led project working group will be meeting routinely. Here are the ways you can stay engaged with the Downtown SAM project:


Questions? Would you like to leave a comment? Ask here.

Have a question or a comment about the Downtown SAM project? Ask here and someone from the Project Team will get back to you. 

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  • Share Re: the process: the requirement to create an account and a user ID in order to leave a comment is a disincentive for me. I feel like I should be able to leave a comment without creating yet another account. In terms of the SAM, I used to bike everywhere in downtown. One of the pinch points for bikers is southbound on Higgins through the Brooks intersection. This is a dangerous spot. on Facebook Share Re: the process: the requirement to create an account and a user ID in order to leave a comment is a disincentive for me. I feel like I should be able to leave a comment without creating yet another account. In terms of the SAM, I used to bike everywhere in downtown. One of the pinch points for bikers is southbound on Higgins through the Brooks intersection. This is a dangerous spot. on Twitter Share Re: the process: the requirement to create an account and a user ID in order to leave a comment is a disincentive for me. I feel like I should be able to leave a comment without creating yet another account. In terms of the SAM, I used to bike everywhere in downtown. One of the pinch points for bikers is southbound on Higgins through the Brooks intersection. This is a dangerous spot. on Linkedin Email Re: the process: the requirement to create an account and a user ID in order to leave a comment is a disincentive for me. I feel like I should be able to leave a comment without creating yet another account. In terms of the SAM, I used to bike everywhere in downtown. One of the pinch points for bikers is southbound on Higgins through the Brooks intersection. This is a dangerous spot. link

    Re: the process: the requirement to create an account and a user ID in order to leave a comment is a disincentive for me. I feel like I should be able to leave a comment without creating yet another account. In terms of the SAM, I used to bike everywhere in downtown. One of the pinch points for bikers is southbound on Higgins through the Brooks intersection. This is a dangerous spot.

    haulpack asked 28 days ago

    Thank you for your feedback. Your comment about creating a user account will be shared with the City 's Communications Team. 

    The intersection at Higgins and Brooks has been identified as a priority intersection to implement safety improvements for the SAM project. Please stay engaged as we further develop our designs for this intersection and the rest of the project. 

    Regards,

    Downtown SAM Project Team

  • Share Most business owners are opposed to this plan, what is their recourse for lost revenue due to the implementation? on Facebook Share Most business owners are opposed to this plan, what is their recourse for lost revenue due to the implementation? on Twitter Share Most business owners are opposed to this plan, what is their recourse for lost revenue due to the implementation? on Linkedin Email Most business owners are opposed to this plan, what is their recourse for lost revenue due to the implementation? link

    Most business owners are opposed to this plan, what is their recourse for lost revenue due to the implementation?

    Jason T asked about 2 months ago

    The City of Missoula does not provide any recourse to businesses for lost revenue.  At this stage in design, we are still developing the project details. We don't anticipate implementing a plan that will have long term adverse impacts on downtown. Upon completion, the SAM Project will:  

    • Create safer streets for walking, biking, driving, and public transportation.
    • Improve access and circulation for Downtown businesses, workers, residents, and visitors.
    • Create an inviting streetscape that showcases Downtown Missoula as a destination.
    • Support economic health and investment in downtown.  

    We encourage business owners to stay engaged over the next twelve months during the design and preconstruction phases — your input can help shape how the project is implemented and therefore how the project may impact your business. You can stay involved by attending public meetings, open houses, or reaching out directly to project staff as the project advances.

    Regards,

    Downtown SAM Project Team. 

  • Share Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I am very much against the proposed SAM plan for many reasons. First hands off the Beartracks Bridge which is already perfect the way it is - two lanes each way are needed on this bridge and there are already sufficient bike lanes - besides how many times was the bridge resurfaced to get it just right - and now the proposal is to tear it up again - this just does not make sense and is totally unnecessary. Reducing north-south traffic lanes on Higgens from two lanes each way to one also does not make sense. Maybe in an ideal world the planners of this project want to get people out of cars and on to bikes and public transportation - but this doesn't make sense in a car dependent society. Traffic is already heavy in downtown as well as throughout Missoula - diminishing traffic flow in downtown by restricting lanes will only discourage Missoula residents from coming downtown. I am also against the proposal to change the traffic flow on main and front streets - the one way flow on each of these streets works very well and provides plenty of parking and access to businesses. It seems absolutely unnecessary to change the direction of travel on these streets. Also as someone else said please do not eliminate any parking spaces - more parking spaces are needed, especially since the City let all the new hotels come in without providing their own parking & instead using City parking. Finally it seems to me the long duration of the proposed project would be unfairly hard for downtown businesses to survive, especially now as it appears that we are entering an economic downturn. We don't need to make Missoula look like Boulder, CO - how about keeping the unique and charming character of downtown as well as the rest of Missoula. The one question. I have has to do with understanding the sources of funding for this project. Specifically, I would like to know the dollar amount of funding that the City of Missoula has committed to the total project costs, in other words what is coming from City budgets. Thank you. on Facebook Share Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I am very much against the proposed SAM plan for many reasons. First hands off the Beartracks Bridge which is already perfect the way it is - two lanes each way are needed on this bridge and there are already sufficient bike lanes - besides how many times was the bridge resurfaced to get it just right - and now the proposal is to tear it up again - this just does not make sense and is totally unnecessary. Reducing north-south traffic lanes on Higgens from two lanes each way to one also does not make sense. Maybe in an ideal world the planners of this project want to get people out of cars and on to bikes and public transportation - but this doesn't make sense in a car dependent society. Traffic is already heavy in downtown as well as throughout Missoula - diminishing traffic flow in downtown by restricting lanes will only discourage Missoula residents from coming downtown. I am also against the proposal to change the traffic flow on main and front streets - the one way flow on each of these streets works very well and provides plenty of parking and access to businesses. It seems absolutely unnecessary to change the direction of travel on these streets. Also as someone else said please do not eliminate any parking spaces - more parking spaces are needed, especially since the City let all the new hotels come in without providing their own parking & instead using City parking. Finally it seems to me the long duration of the proposed project would be unfairly hard for downtown businesses to survive, especially now as it appears that we are entering an economic downturn. We don't need to make Missoula look like Boulder, CO - how about keeping the unique and charming character of downtown as well as the rest of Missoula. The one question. I have has to do with understanding the sources of funding for this project. Specifically, I would like to know the dollar amount of funding that the City of Missoula has committed to the total project costs, in other words what is coming from City budgets. Thank you. on Twitter Share Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I am very much against the proposed SAM plan for many reasons. First hands off the Beartracks Bridge which is already perfect the way it is - two lanes each way are needed on this bridge and there are already sufficient bike lanes - besides how many times was the bridge resurfaced to get it just right - and now the proposal is to tear it up again - this just does not make sense and is totally unnecessary. Reducing north-south traffic lanes on Higgens from two lanes each way to one also does not make sense. Maybe in an ideal world the planners of this project want to get people out of cars and on to bikes and public transportation - but this doesn't make sense in a car dependent society. Traffic is already heavy in downtown as well as throughout Missoula - diminishing traffic flow in downtown by restricting lanes will only discourage Missoula residents from coming downtown. I am also against the proposal to change the traffic flow on main and front streets - the one way flow on each of these streets works very well and provides plenty of parking and access to businesses. It seems absolutely unnecessary to change the direction of travel on these streets. Also as someone else said please do not eliminate any parking spaces - more parking spaces are needed, especially since the City let all the new hotels come in without providing their own parking & instead using City parking. Finally it seems to me the long duration of the proposed project would be unfairly hard for downtown businesses to survive, especially now as it appears that we are entering an economic downturn. We don't need to make Missoula look like Boulder, CO - how about keeping the unique and charming character of downtown as well as the rest of Missoula. The one question. I have has to do with understanding the sources of funding for this project. Specifically, I would like to know the dollar amount of funding that the City of Missoula has committed to the total project costs, in other words what is coming from City budgets. Thank you. on Linkedin Email Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I am very much against the proposed SAM plan for many reasons. First hands off the Beartracks Bridge which is already perfect the way it is - two lanes each way are needed on this bridge and there are already sufficient bike lanes - besides how many times was the bridge resurfaced to get it just right - and now the proposal is to tear it up again - this just does not make sense and is totally unnecessary. Reducing north-south traffic lanes on Higgens from two lanes each way to one also does not make sense. Maybe in an ideal world the planners of this project want to get people out of cars and on to bikes and public transportation - but this doesn't make sense in a car dependent society. Traffic is already heavy in downtown as well as throughout Missoula - diminishing traffic flow in downtown by restricting lanes will only discourage Missoula residents from coming downtown. I am also against the proposal to change the traffic flow on main and front streets - the one way flow on each of these streets works very well and provides plenty of parking and access to businesses. It seems absolutely unnecessary to change the direction of travel on these streets. Also as someone else said please do not eliminate any parking spaces - more parking spaces are needed, especially since the City let all the new hotels come in without providing their own parking & instead using City parking. Finally it seems to me the long duration of the proposed project would be unfairly hard for downtown businesses to survive, especially now as it appears that we are entering an economic downturn. We don't need to make Missoula look like Boulder, CO - how about keeping the unique and charming character of downtown as well as the rest of Missoula. The one question. I have has to do with understanding the sources of funding for this project. Specifically, I would like to know the dollar amount of funding that the City of Missoula has committed to the total project costs, in other words what is coming from City budgets. Thank you. link

    Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I am very much against the proposed SAM plan for many reasons. First hands off the Beartracks Bridge which is already perfect the way it is - two lanes each way are needed on this bridge and there are already sufficient bike lanes - besides how many times was the bridge resurfaced to get it just right - and now the proposal is to tear it up again - this just does not make sense and is totally unnecessary. Reducing north-south traffic lanes on Higgens from two lanes each way to one also does not make sense. Maybe in an ideal world the planners of this project want to get people out of cars and on to bikes and public transportation - but this doesn't make sense in a car dependent society. Traffic is already heavy in downtown as well as throughout Missoula - diminishing traffic flow in downtown by restricting lanes will only discourage Missoula residents from coming downtown. I am also against the proposal to change the traffic flow on main and front streets - the one way flow on each of these streets works very well and provides plenty of parking and access to businesses. It seems absolutely unnecessary to change the direction of travel on these streets. Also as someone else said please do not eliminate any parking spaces - more parking spaces are needed, especially since the City let all the new hotels come in without providing their own parking & instead using City parking. Finally it seems to me the long duration of the proposed project would be unfairly hard for downtown businesses to survive, especially now as it appears that we are entering an economic downturn. We don't need to make Missoula look like Boulder, CO - how about keeping the unique and charming character of downtown as well as the rest of Missoula. The one question. I have has to do with understanding the sources of funding for this project. Specifically, I would like to know the dollar amount of funding that the City of Missoula has committed to the total project costs, in other words what is coming from City budgets. Thank you.

    flow asked about 1 month ago

    Hello,

    Thank you for your input. The funding sources are outlined below:

    • Federal RAISE Grant:   $24,535,398
    • Missoula Redevelopment Agency Tax Increment Financing:  $1,000,000
    • City of Missoula Parks & Recreation:  $100,000
    • Mountain Line:  $10,000
    • Missoula Downtown Foundation: $10,000
    • Business Improvement District: $40,000


    Regards,

    Downtown SAM Project Team 

  • Share I am totally against reducing the traffic lanes and parking in the downtown. Bicycles are less that 5% of all traffic and business support in the downtown. I walk over the Higgins Street bridge every day and if I see 5 bikes on the bridge at one time it would be a once a year occasion. Bike lanes already exist on Higgins and the $12 million dollar bridge and there meet the need. Two way streets are fine, new lights are fine. Add parking do not take any away. on Facebook Share I am totally against reducing the traffic lanes and parking in the downtown. Bicycles are less that 5% of all traffic and business support in the downtown. I walk over the Higgins Street bridge every day and if I see 5 bikes on the bridge at one time it would be a once a year occasion. Bike lanes already exist on Higgins and the $12 million dollar bridge and there meet the need. Two way streets are fine, new lights are fine. Add parking do not take any away. on Twitter Share I am totally against reducing the traffic lanes and parking in the downtown. Bicycles are less that 5% of all traffic and business support in the downtown. I walk over the Higgins Street bridge every day and if I see 5 bikes on the bridge at one time it would be a once a year occasion. Bike lanes already exist on Higgins and the $12 million dollar bridge and there meet the need. Two way streets are fine, new lights are fine. Add parking do not take any away. on Linkedin Email I am totally against reducing the traffic lanes and parking in the downtown. Bicycles are less that 5% of all traffic and business support in the downtown. I walk over the Higgins Street bridge every day and if I see 5 bikes on the bridge at one time it would be a once a year occasion. Bike lanes already exist on Higgins and the $12 million dollar bridge and there meet the need. Two way streets are fine, new lights are fine. Add parking do not take any away. link

    I am totally against reducing the traffic lanes and parking in the downtown. Bicycles are less that 5% of all traffic and business support in the downtown. I walk over the Higgins Street bridge every day and if I see 5 bikes on the bridge at one time it would be a once a year occasion. Bike lanes already exist on Higgins and the $12 million dollar bridge and there meet the need. Two way streets are fine, new lights are fine. Add parking do not take any away.

    captngb asked about 2 months ago

    Hello,

    Thanks for your feedback. Your comments will be shared with the Project Leadership Team. If you haven't already, we'd encourage you to take the 30% Design Survey.

    Regards,

    Downtown SAM Project Management Team 

  • Share Could you please put the 30% complete visuals online for people to view and take the survey? on Facebook Share Could you please put the 30% complete visuals online for people to view and take the survey? on Twitter Share Could you please put the 30% complete visuals online for people to view and take the survey? on Linkedin Email Could you please put the 30% complete visuals online for people to view and take the survey? link

    Could you please put the 30% complete visuals online for people to view and take the survey?

    Maybe Missoula asked about 2 months ago

    Hello,

    Thanks for your patience. The boards from the 30% Design open house and the roll plots are now available for viewing in the Public Engagement Center under the link "Open House Materials."

    Regards,

    Downtown SAM Project Team 

  • Share I'm curious how long the Downtown SAM 30% survey will be open? Thanks! Amy on Facebook Share I'm curious how long the Downtown SAM 30% survey will be open? Thanks! Amy on Twitter Share I'm curious how long the Downtown SAM 30% survey will be open? Thanks! Amy on Linkedin Email I'm curious how long the Downtown SAM 30% survey will be open? Thanks! Amy link

    I'm curious how long the Downtown SAM 30% survey will be open? Thanks! Amy

    Amy Cil asked about 2 months ago

    Hi Amy,

    Thanks for asking! The Downtown SAM 30% Survey will close on October 22, 2025. 

    Regards,

    The Downtown SAM Project Team 

  • Share Hello - is there a way to comment on the SAM for downtown because I can't come to the October 8th meeting?? I'll be out of town. I would like to comment that I strongly feel that Higgins Bear track bridge should NOT be converted to 2 lane. We paid for those shared use paths on the bridge and that is what they are for!! Missoula does not realize the increase in traffic going on and the frustration about trying to get through town at rush hour. You can encourage pedestrian and bike traffic all you want, but Missoula is in the middle of no where and people have to DRIVE to get here or to drive through it! You need cars. ANd road rage is increasing during rush hour. You need to do things to increase flow through downtown, especially if you want people to come downtown and use downtown. Please do not gum up traffic more than it already is in Missoula!! Please realize that the cars are NOT going away. This is not Seattle or Portland. THanks. Cathy Stewart on Facebook Share Hello - is there a way to comment on the SAM for downtown because I can't come to the October 8th meeting?? I'll be out of town. I would like to comment that I strongly feel that Higgins Bear track bridge should NOT be converted to 2 lane. We paid for those shared use paths on the bridge and that is what they are for!! Missoula does not realize the increase in traffic going on and the frustration about trying to get through town at rush hour. You can encourage pedestrian and bike traffic all you want, but Missoula is in the middle of no where and people have to DRIVE to get here or to drive through it! You need cars. ANd road rage is increasing during rush hour. You need to do things to increase flow through downtown, especially if you want people to come downtown and use downtown. Please do not gum up traffic more than it already is in Missoula!! Please realize that the cars are NOT going away. This is not Seattle or Portland. THanks. Cathy Stewart on Twitter Share Hello - is there a way to comment on the SAM for downtown because I can't come to the October 8th meeting?? I'll be out of town. I would like to comment that I strongly feel that Higgins Bear track bridge should NOT be converted to 2 lane. We paid for those shared use paths on the bridge and that is what they are for!! Missoula does not realize the increase in traffic going on and the frustration about trying to get through town at rush hour. You can encourage pedestrian and bike traffic all you want, but Missoula is in the middle of no where and people have to DRIVE to get here or to drive through it! You need cars. ANd road rage is increasing during rush hour. You need to do things to increase flow through downtown, especially if you want people to come downtown and use downtown. Please do not gum up traffic more than it already is in Missoula!! Please realize that the cars are NOT going away. This is not Seattle or Portland. THanks. Cathy Stewart on Linkedin Email Hello - is there a way to comment on the SAM for downtown because I can't come to the October 8th meeting?? I'll be out of town. I would like to comment that I strongly feel that Higgins Bear track bridge should NOT be converted to 2 lane. We paid for those shared use paths on the bridge and that is what they are for!! Missoula does not realize the increase in traffic going on and the frustration about trying to get through town at rush hour. You can encourage pedestrian and bike traffic all you want, but Missoula is in the middle of no where and people have to DRIVE to get here or to drive through it! You need cars. ANd road rage is increasing during rush hour. You need to do things to increase flow through downtown, especially if you want people to come downtown and use downtown. Please do not gum up traffic more than it already is in Missoula!! Please realize that the cars are NOT going away. This is not Seattle or Portland. THanks. Cathy Stewart link

    Hello - is there a way to comment on the SAM for downtown because I can't come to the October 8th meeting?? I'll be out of town. I would like to comment that I strongly feel that Higgins Bear track bridge should NOT be converted to 2 lane. We paid for those shared use paths on the bridge and that is what they are for!! Missoula does not realize the increase in traffic going on and the frustration about trying to get through town at rush hour. You can encourage pedestrian and bike traffic all you want, but Missoula is in the middle of no where and people have to DRIVE to get here or to drive through it! You need cars. ANd road rage is increasing during rush hour. You need to do things to increase flow through downtown, especially if you want people to come downtown and use downtown. Please do not gum up traffic more than it already is in Missoula!! Please realize that the cars are NOT going away. This is not Seattle or Portland. THanks. Cathy Stewart

    Cathy asked about 2 months ago

    Hi Cathy,

    Thanks for your question on Engage Missoula! This is one of the best ways to ask a question or leave a comment for the Project Team. Our designers are aware of the current traffic volumes on Higgins, and the Downtown SAM Project does aim to increase mobility for all users—including vehicles. We’d encourage you to check out our Downtown Signals Optimization element of the Downtown SAM Project as this is one of the design solutions in the project intended to help with traffic flow through downtown. We will also upload materials from the October 8 Open House to this Public Engagement Center so please check back later this month.  

    We’re sorry you won’t be able to attend the Open House on October 8, but we hope we’ll see you at future Open Houses for the project.

    Best regards

    Downtown SAM Project Team 

  • Share We heard there was a meeting last week about SAM, with the working group, and that some significant changes were made. We follow the agendas and meeting notices on this page and did not see any notice about a meeting or any meeting agendas. Was there in fact a meeting, and, if so, why was it not noticed? When and where are the August and September meetings? Thank you, -Bob Giordano, Director, Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation on Facebook Share We heard there was a meeting last week about SAM, with the working group, and that some significant changes were made. We follow the agendas and meeting notices on this page and did not see any notice about a meeting or any meeting agendas. Was there in fact a meeting, and, if so, why was it not noticed? When and where are the August and September meetings? Thank you, -Bob Giordano, Director, Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation on Twitter Share We heard there was a meeting last week about SAM, with the working group, and that some significant changes were made. We follow the agendas and meeting notices on this page and did not see any notice about a meeting or any meeting agendas. Was there in fact a meeting, and, if so, why was it not noticed? When and where are the August and September meetings? Thank you, -Bob Giordano, Director, Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation on Linkedin Email We heard there was a meeting last week about SAM, with the working group, and that some significant changes were made. We follow the agendas and meeting notices on this page and did not see any notice about a meeting or any meeting agendas. Was there in fact a meeting, and, if so, why was it not noticed? When and where are the August and September meetings? Thank you, -Bob Giordano, Director, Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation link

    We heard there was a meeting last week about SAM, with the working group, and that some significant changes were made. We follow the agendas and meeting notices on this page and did not see any notice about a meeting or any meeting agendas. Was there in fact a meeting, and, if so, why was it not noticed? When and where are the August and September meetings? Thank you, -Bob Giordano, Director, Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation

    Bob Giordano asked 4 months ago

    Hi Bob,

    Thanks for your question. We post the Working Group Meeting dates in the "Key Dates" widget on this page. If you're viewing the page on mobile, you may have to scroll a little bit. The July meeting date was posted but is not visible now because only future dates are visible in the widget. The meeting agendas and summaries are posted in the "Working Group Materials" widget. Again, if you're viewing on mobile, you'll need to scroll down, and they are below the "Downtown Safety Access and Mobility Project Elements" widget. Also, I just updated the "Key Dates" so you should now be able to see the August and September Working Group Meeting Dates. A link to join these meetings is posted in the description above but I've linked it again here for easy referencing: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OGUxODc5NWQtMmViZC00ZjA4LTgyZTItM2U1ZTU1NWZkZTVj%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22780c98fa-77d6-4c0f-972a-39b490a4f641%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%220eb44b16-0c03-40ec-b30b-0b1062a63674%22%7d.

    If you'd like to attend in person, the meetings are held in the basement conference room at First Interstate Bank – Basement Training Room, 101 East Front Street. Summer meetings take place from 9:00am - 12:00pm. While the public is welcome to observe Working Group meetings, the meetings are not open for public comment. 

    If you have any other questions, please let me know. 

    Thanks for engaging! 

    Ashley Warren

    Communications Specialist

Page last updated: 01 Dec 2025, 11:38 AM