Federal grant could boost downtown project

A little known federal transportation grant could provide the money needed to get Second Street reconstructed from Spokane to Baker avenues — under city direction.

Reconstruction of that section of state highway in a pedestrian-friendly way is key to the success of the city's downtown master plan, which was kick-started after the Montana Department of Transportation first proposed a four-lane highway through downtown.

Public works director John Wilson told the Whitefish City Council at their Sept. 8 meeting that funding from the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) discretionary grant could also be used to upgrade the traffic signals at Spokane, Central and Baker avenues.

TIGER grants are intended to support local economic development, upgrade existing transportation facilities, enhance living and working environments through livable communities, improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases, improve traffic safety, create jobs quickly and stimulate economic activity.

The city will be able to support the grant application by showing plans to spend $18 million on the city's downtown master plan, including purchase of Depot Park, construction of the new parking lot at Spokane and Second, relocation of the fire and police departments and municipal court to a new building at Baker Commons, and reconstruction of seven blocks downtown.

"Our project will be a good match for just about all of the other grant criteria," Wilson said.

Pedestrian-friendly elements and streetscaping features will also enhance the living and working environment, Wilson noted.

"I expect this to be fast-tracked," he said. "The funds must be spent by February 2012, so you might see something start in 2011."

Senior project engineer Karin Hilding has been soliciting public support for the grant application using a canned letter addressed to the deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy, in Washington, D.C. Letters have been sent by Sen. Max Baucus, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, Whitefish Rotary Club, Whitefish Lake Golf Association and Don Spivey.

The council unanimously approved submitting an application for the $3.5 million TIGER grant. WGM Engineering has been retained with a $5,000 fee to help prepare the grant.