Parking a priority in downtown master plan update

A recent update to the Whitefish downtown master plan focuses on expanding retail opportunities and revamping a portion of Baker Avenue while emphasizing the importance of adding more parking.

Planning consultants George Crandall and Don Arambula, who crafted the city’s 2006 downtown master plan, were recently contracted to update the document. About 60 people attended a public meeting May 2 at the O’Shaughnessy Center to review their changes.

The objective of the updated plan is to strengthen the downtown core as a destination, not a place to pass through.

“This is a 20-year plan,” Arambula told the audience. “It provides opportunities if you choose to make the changes.”

Crandall added that the plan is about preventing undesirable change while encouraging desirable change.

His calculations show $9.2 million was privately invested in new and renovated retail space downtown since the original plan was adopted. His projections show another $57.6 million could be privately invested going forward.

Parking needs

Two of the top projects consultants deemed to be a “high priority” involve the construction of downtown parking facilities.

The updated plan calls for one parking structure at the site of the current surface lot across from the middle school and another at Baker and Second combined with a new city hall.

Two other recommended parking structure sites as retail expands are suggested for the entire block at the northwest intersection of First Street and Baker, and north of the O’Shaughnessy Center.

The plan notes that parking downtown is currently at or near capacity during tourist season.

“You need to satisfy the parking needs if you want to keep retail healthy,” Crandall said.

A 218-space parking garage would meet current needs, he said, but there is projected to be a 704-space shortage as retail expands.

The city is currently considering building a 233-space parking facility alongside a new city hall at Baker and Second.

“It is simply good business practice to provide well-located, safe and easy-to-use public parking that welcomes the shopper and supports other commercial, cultural and government uses,” the consultants state in the plan update.

Pedestrian-friendly

Consultants say the downtown economy is dependent on creating a pedestrian setting where shoppers “feel comfortable strolling, relaxing on benches or eating at café tables.” The update includes a downtown transportation plan to improve pedestrian and cycling routes to meet those needs.

Baker Avenue streetscape and roadway improvements were tagged as a high priority area. Enhancements should be made along the stretch from Third Street to the viaduct to connect shoppers to the Railway District while maintaining efficient traffic flow.

New traffic signals are suggested along Baker Avenue at Third and First Street.

“Baker needs to be more pedestrian friendly, where a mother and child feel comfortable going across the street,” Crandall said. “If you don’t put a light at First and Baker you can forget about retail moving across the street. The pedestrian environment there needs to be improved substantially.”

The plan also calls for a new traffic signal at the intersection of Lupfer Avenue and Second Street.

A proposed north-south bikeway route along Second Street, Spokane Avenue, Railway Street and Wisconsin Avenue would spur more commuters to ride their bicycle, and in turn, help ease downtown parking congestion, the consultants suggest.

Expanding retail

Creation of a downtown retail loop is another fundamental concept in the update.

Consultants suggest extending Central Avenue retail shops and streetscape enhancements north to Depot Street and south to Fourth Street. Shopping opportunities should expanded to the Railway District via First and Third Street, while keeping a consistent streetscape character along the route.

A downtown anchor retail store is suggested for the intersection of First Street and Baker Avenue. Arambula says an anchor could be a full-service grocery store, another hardware store, a drugstore, or a cluster of similar uses.

“An anchor benefits businesses around it and leads to additional sales,” he said. “That’s a missing component right now.”

Another anchor store is suggested for the current city parking lot at Third Street and Central, although Crandall acknowledged that lot is important parking for businesses.

Local developers have proposed building a boutique hotel at that site, as well.

Park space

Another priority project suggests implementation of upgrades at Depot Park, but with a change to include a 20,000 square foot paved area in the southwest corner.

“This space would serve as a hub for annual programmed uses such farmers markets and art-and-craft fairs that currently use streets, parking lots and sidewalk areas,” the consultants note.

A series of new parks are suggested north of Railway Street on BNSF Railway property.

Mixed reviews

Public response following the May 2 presentation garnered mixed reviews.

One audience member asked if the plan could be tied to the U.S. 93 strip.

Crandall said their objective is to take care of the heart of the city first, but expanding the plan to include that area is the next step.

“Without a strong heart your extremities will suffer,” he said. “But I hope you look at expanding past downtown.”

Councilman Phil Mitchell questioned the finances of implementing the suggested updates.

“You do design work and then say build it — but at what cost?” he asked.

“You have the ideas without the money thoughts. How do you suggest this be paid for?”

Crandall said some investment is necessary in order to stimulate expanded retail and create a successful downtown.

Mayor John Muhlfeld said that the city has seen positive results in resort tax collections since adopting and implementing parts of the 2006 plan.

The plan, he said, also set up the city to receive a $3.5 million federal TIGER grant to fund the Second Street reconstruction project.