KALISPELL – The City of Kalispell is a step closer to moving forward with more convenient parking in downtown after the City Council heard possible ways to reconfigure the streets to provide more parking.
The Kalispell Downtown Plan identified a desire to increase parking downtown for employees last December.
Unlike Missoula, Bozeman and Billings which have parking garages, Kalispell is looking to avoid significant construction costs by integrating angle parking on one side of some wider streets.
A months-long analysis of the possibility on First, Third and Fifth streets by City’s Public Works Department was presented to the council earlier this month.
Kalispell City Senior Planner Jarod Nygren says they expect to get at least ten more parking spots with the changes. He added they’re also looking at possibly changing some from two-hour to all-day parking for employees.
Based on the findings Nygren says the council directed further analysis but later this month it will likely go before them for a decision.
“We just have to look at a few other issues and notify the neighbors within those vicinities and make sure there isn’t anything we’re overlooking,” Nygren said. “As far as standards wise it does look like it falls within the Public Works to implement it.”
Nygren says before moving forward the issue will go back for more analysis to the Parking Committee and neighboring property owners about concerns.
-Nicole Miller reporting for MTN News
