Waterway, resort axed from city's master plan

The concept of a downtown waterway and resort was officially scraped by Whitefish City Council last week as the city decided to move forward with updates to the downtown master plan.

The Whitefish Landing was one of the original fundamental concepts of the 2005 master plan created by city planning firm Crandall Arambula. The man-made waterway would have been created by channeling water from the Whitefish River near the Railway District toward downtown. It was touted as a way to connect the city with Whitefish Lake.

Conceptual plans showed a Whitefish Landing Resort with a hotel and high-density residential development. A pedestrian and bike promenade was also planned. The water amenity for small boats would have been constructed on BNSF Railway property.

At the Nov. 5 council meeting, councilors noted the Whitefish Landing concept was impractical.

“The Whitefish Landing is one of the biggest design flaws I’ve ever seen,” councilor Phil Mitchell bluntly stated.

With that in mind, Mitchell said he’d prefer that Crandall Arambula was no longer involved with the planning process.

“I’m not impressed with Crandal Arambula,” he said. “There’s several things they’ve missed.

“I don’t want to spend any more money with them. I think we can figure this out.”

City Manager Chuck Stearns had asked council to decide on how much more work they want Crandal Arambula to complete on the master plan update. The firm had submitted a menu of seven update items that all together was estimated to cost $93,240.

Mayor John Muhlfeld and Stearns recommended hiring Crandal Arambula for three menu items at a total of cost $52,400.

One of items includes planning for retail expansion south of Third Street to Baker Avenue.

“We are starting to see growth in these areas with several new businesses establishing south of Third in just the past year,” Muhlfeld said in an email to Stearns. “Having a conceptual plan in place for retail expansion south of Third Street and on the cross streets may help facilitate parking solutions that will book-end the south end of town and provide for future growth and expansion.”

The other menu items include a plan for retail development in the Railway District, a revised master plan document that is consistent with Growth Policy requirements, and a meeting between the city and Crandal Arambula.

Councilor John Anderson said he wanted Crandal Arambula’s guidance on retail development.

“I would like to see what they say about retail expansion in the Railway District. The potential there is pretty spectacular,” he said.

Chris Hyatt said the Railway District has lost businesses recently.

“There needs to be an anchor in the Railway District so people have a reason to go there,” he said.

Hyatt said some of the ideas brought forth by Crandal Arambula have been questionable.

Richard Hildner agreed with Mitchell that the Whitefish Landing should be axed from the plan, however he still wanted Crandal Arambula involved.

Anderson eventually motioned to approve the three menu items suggested by Muhlfeld, and to eliminate the Whitefish Landing from the master plan.

The final vote was 4-2 with Mitchell and Hyatt in opposition.