Thanks for your question. The ballpark cost estimate for the entire project is around $7Mil. This is an intentionally inflated number to account for many unknowns. A more accurate cost estimate will be available after we finalize design and engineering. While Missoula taxpayer dollars would help with construction, our goal is to leverage those taxpayer funds with grants, donations and other alternative funding streams. We have been very successful doing this for similar river-based projects. Recent examples include the removal of the Rattlesnake & Mckinley Dams, Grant Creek Horseshoe bend realignment and the Clark Fork Access and Restoration Project.  Roughly 50-80% of the project costs of those multi-million dollar projects were funded through alternative funding. While it’s too early to tell exactly how this project will be funded our goal is to stretch every Missoula taxpayer dollar as far as it will go.

Hello and thanks for your questions. 

Here is some history that helped shape the decisions we are making today. In 2011, the City used Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to purchase and develop West Broadway island. This included a retrofit of the existing Hellgate Valley Irrigation Company’s bridge at Burton St. and one installation of a new bridge (upstream with stairs). For more information of how TIF funding works, visit https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentCenter/View/75094/What-Is-TIF-MRA . The City’s 2021 acquisition of the Flynn-Lowney ditch from the Hellgate Valley Irrigation Company provided significant environmental and economic benefits with few direct costs to taxpayers. For more information on that acquisition, visit https://www.engagemissoula.com/flynn-lowney-ditch-acquisition-restoration-project. Prior to public acquisition of the irrigation ditch, the City was required to keep the Burton St. bridge in place to maintain equipment access for ditch maintenance. That is no longer the case.

Currently, the City already has significant short- and long-term maintenance costs in the project area. The City owns and manages public lands on both sides of the river, the island in the river, the irrigation ditch, and all associated infrastructure. We are required to maintain the bridges, boat ramp, commuter trails, and parks to meet engineering and public safety standards. The West Broadway Island River Corridor (WBRC) Master Plan was developed to improve environmental, recreational, and economic conditions within the project area while also considering long-term maintenance costs. While some of those considerations are captured chapters 5 & 6 of the plan, costs will be further refined as the project is designed and engineered. There will be significant opportunities to leverage taxpayer dollars with public and private fundraising to implement this project.

The recommendations within the WBRC Master Plan were made with significant public input. Over the past seven years, the City has developed the Envision West Broadway, North Riverfront Parks & Trails, Downtown Lions, and Long-Range Transportation plans. Developing these plans involved numerous public workshops, public comment periods, public meeting, and consultations with adjacent neighbors. Many of the recommendations in the draft WBRC Master Plan, especially those related to commuter trails and neighborhood connections, came directly from recommendations in the plans listed above. Development of the WBRC Master Plan has taken about three years and has involved numerous public meetings, direct outreach to stakeholders and adjacent neighbors, establishing a multi-jurisdictional steering committee, and three public comment periods. This winter, as we move the WBRC Master Plan through the adoption process, there will be opportunities for public input at future Missoula Redevelopment Agency Board, Missoula Parks & Recreation Board, and City Council meetings.

Hope this is helpful, and thanks again for taking the time to comment.

Thank you for the question. Missoula’s culture is deeply tied to the rivers that run through our valley. The City’s river front parks system extends along nearly 6 miles of the Clark Fork River. Providing safe, appropriate access to the river while protecting natural resources is strongly supported by our community. Reenvisioning the W. Broadway River Corridor has involved significant collaboration with community members, local non-profits, agency staff, and the public. All recreational amenities depicted in the Draft Master Plan were further reviewed and vetted by the local first responders responsible for handling emergencies within the project area.

Thank you for your interest. Improving multi-modal connectivity in the project area is a major focus of the project, since it would enhance access to recreation, improve public safety, and contribute to the holistic success of the project. Connection of the existing pieces of Ron's River Trail is a challenge due to multiple property ownerships and steep slopes along the riverbank. However, the re-grading and restoration work involved in this project also provides a critical opportunity to incorporate the space needs of a trail corridor.

Chester, thank you for your questions. The West Broadway River project was initiated to improve conditions in the Clark Fork River and adjacent areas. This project really began when the City, in partnership with MT Fish Wildlife and Parks and the Clark Fork Coalition, purchased the Flynn-Lowney irrigation ditch. That acquisition provided the City with valuable water rights available for drinking and fire protection as our City grows. It also saves our community millions of dollars in initial development and long-term road maintenance costs (no need to build dozens of ditch crossings & bridges) in the Mullan/Airport area. 

Our community has identified MANY issues and opportunities in this several impacted section of the Clark Fork River. This includes collapsing riverbanks, disconnected pedestrian routes, degraded riparian areas, tons of waste construction debris, and numerous safety challenges. Without action, we will continue to see the issues identified on the Issues and Opportunities Map on this page, worsen and become more costly to fix. There are also many opportunities to make improvements within this stretch of river. 

In order to fix issues,  improve river function, and establish community trail connections, a significant amount of engineering, permitting and construction will be required. The project consultant team has significant experience in river restoration and rehabilitation projects, and their analysis at each step strongly weighs benefits to river health. In a Fall 2024 public survey that asked about proposed changes to the project area, a wave feature in an engineered side channel saw strong support and limited but important criticism. While a wave feature would add a minimal amount of construction cost to this very large project, both construction and long-term mainteance costs of ALL built features (eg. trails, boat ramp, bridges, trailheads etc.) must be considered. We are working with our project consultants to develop both construction costs and long-term maintenance requirements so our community can make informed decisions as we develop a final master plan for this project. As you mentioned in your comments, cost is not the only decision-making metric we will use. Weighing overall cost with potential public benefit is very important. Similar projects in other cities, and our own, have shown that popular recreation features can draw people, both recreationists and spectators, to an area and attract adjacent development to areas experiencing urban blight. 

All potential modifications to the river are being thoroughly vetted and will go through all applicable permitting processes. Any recreation feature built below the high water mark must be reviewed & permitted though local, state & federal agencies. Any built feature on the riverbed, which would require recurring maintenance, also requires a lease agreement with the Dept. of Natural Resources.  

Project Goal 3 addresses restoration of floodplain and riparian habitat:

• Remove debris armoring banks, and restore with natural materials. 

Thank you for the question. The City recognizes that homelessness is a complex issue that impacts the use and perception of public spaces like West Broadway Islands. City officials are working closely with social service providers to increase shelter capacity and connect individuals experiencing homelessness with additional resources. However, fully resolving homelessness extends beyond the scope of any single department or project.

For the West Broadway River Corridor (WBRC), our goal is to find solutions that protect public health and safety while being compassionate to all community members. This may involve deterring extended camping in the park while increasing outreach and access to services. But partnerships across government, nonprofits and the community will be key. We hope improvements to WBRC will benefit all residents. Please feel free to share other suggestions as we develop plans for the park.

Thank you for your comment. This complex, multifaceted project is in the very early planning stages. At this stage, we're presenting a broad suite of possibilities for residents to consider. At the same time, we are collecting a significant amount of geophysical data from the site. We will use that data and public feedback to create a spectrum of design alternatives to share with the community. We hope that by spring 2024, we will have a master plan that meets community needs, is fiscally responsible and feasible to implement.

River work of this magnitude will require a variety of local, state and federal permits. Before construction can begin, project partners must demonstrate that the plan can achieve adequate fish passage, water quality, riparian health, flood mitigation, endangered species protection and public safety—regardless of whether a recreational wave is included.

Again, thank you for your comments. It's incredibly important for us to receive feedback from folks who are familiar with the project area and passionate about the Clark Fork. Please be sure to sign up to receive updates when we post more information to Engage Missoula.

As part of this project's public scoping and design, we are exploring options to expand recreation access and opportunities along the river. Project Goal #4 references potential priorities, including exploration of in-stream wave features.

During this public scoping period, we need your input. Please take a few minutes to complete our public comment survey by September 21. Let us know how you currently use the river and adjacent parks and trails and what access or recreation options you want added. Some potential options include new and improved trails, new walk-in river access points, in-stream wave features, an improved boat ramp and more. 

Our team will use public feedback and geophysical data collected on-site to develop multiple design alternatives. We will present these alternatives later this winter in a second public comment period. There will be ample opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of each design and share your thoughts. 

Ultimately, we want to find the right balance between improving natural river function and enhancing responsible public recreation access. With your input, we can ensure the final plans align with what matters most to residents. Please participate in the survey and help shape the future of your river!

We appreciate your interest in the potential wave features along the river as part of this restoration project. As outlined in Project Goal #4, we are actively exploring in-stream wave features to expand recreation access and enhance the user experience. Our team will develop several design alternatives based on public input and on-site data collection. 

We encourage everyone to share their perspectives on wave features and other potential amenities through the public comment survey open until September 21. Your feedback will directly inform the proposals we present this winter. There will be additional opportunities to weigh in on the pros and cons of each design. 

We aim to find the right mix of recreation options that align with community priorities. Please make your voice heard in the survey so we can factor local needs into the final plans. Together, we can shape an improved river that balances ecological and recreational goals.