First best place

It's not to the boiling point, but the heat has been turned up a notch. With the approval by Columbia Falls City Council to purchase 28 acres of land west of the Flathead River for a new park, the community took a huge step forward.

Land is precious. One way we know that: The value of most land is going up — every year. If there is a time to invest in land for community and visitor use, it is now, not in the future. I'm a proponent of parks, having been a supervisor of the maintenance of parks years ago. I know how important it is to keep a park clean and attractive — to make it a great place to take your kids and the rest of your family.

FROM WHAT I'VE heard Columbia Falls City Manager Bill Shaw's efforts were quite instrumental in the opportunity for the city to be able to buy the land. He is a member of the First Best Place Task Force. The Task Force played a role in promoting purchase of the land.

I met with several committee members last week. They wanted to share the history of the Task Force and what direction it is heading. What I was most impressed with was the fact that the Task Force committee members have more than a dream. It's a vision, and a realistic one, at that.

Members of the Task Force steering committee are Dave Renfrow, Barry Conger, county commissioner Gary Hall, Shaw, Olaf Ervin, Kathie Lapcevic, Lorrie Woods, Doug Shanks and Eileen McDowell. Many other community people are members of subcommittees.

When I met with Renfrow, Conger and Marty Laskey last week, they told me that the Task Force came into being about eight months ago, in January. I could see that there was a temptation to take "giant steps" when "baby steps" were in order. And that is what the Task Force is doing. They're not putting the cart before the horse.

Renfrow said that the first thing the Task Force accomplished was to bring the Uptown Merchants Association (UMA) into the Chamber of Commerce. He said that has been a benefit to UMA.

ON THE FRONT of the Task Force brochure it says, "Recognizing Columbia Falls as the First Best Place." Pictured is the old gateway arch leading into downtown. The Task Force is developing ideas on how to "reintroduce" people to the downtown area with some type of signage where Nucleus Avenue intersects U.S. Highway 2. Businesses on the highway that leads to Glacier National Park have good signage. The gist of new signage at Nucleus is meant to say, "Hey, come check out downtown Columbia Falls." Local residents are also reminded that shopping exists downtown.

Speaking of downtown, high on the Task Force's priority list is the development of a "gateway center" at a specific location. According to Conger and Renfrow, questions about the possibility of a downtown location could be answered soon.

The Task Force wants to build a "commercial culture around the concept of Columbia Falls as the Gateway to the Outdoors," according to their brochure. "A portal to outdoor recreation…" The Task Force wants a "gateway center experience," creating a "year-round visitor resource offering self-guided and in-depth education and historical opportunities through kiosks and electronic media." That would be education through in-center DVDs. There is also intent to integrate native plants with outdoor education, area industry and retail opportunities.

WE ALL KNOW how many downtowns across the nation have "died." With hard work, some have been revived. Some other downtowns are practically ghost towns.

Creating "commercial recovery and growth based upon natural amenities and history" is part of the Task Force's foundation. The committee wants to "recover the original downtown square as a central public space."

The Task Force is in its infancy. It has to crawl before it can walk. But, when steps are taken, they will be with goals in mind. Goals that will lead to completion of tasks. And overall, Columbia Falls will be the benefactor. So when you are approached by a Task Force committee member, have an open mind and listen to what they have to say. They will have answers to your questions as the betterment of your town moves forward.

Joe Sova is managing editor of the Hungry Horse News.