Council will hold hearing on community needs

Columbia Falls City Council will hold a public hearing to gauge community needs at its meeting May 17.

The City will take public comment during the months of May and June in order to obtain the greatest public input. The intent of the needs assessment process is to provide the city with a list of potential projects or actions in the areas of housing, economic development and public infrastructure that could be pursued over a period of years in order to improve the community, particularly as those needs affect low and moderate income persons.

Based on the results of the needs assessment, the city may apply for state or federal funding from the Montana Community Development Block Grant Program and other funding sources to deal with local housing, public facilities, or other community needs, and would like comments or suggestions from local citizens regarding the City’s needs and types of projects which should be considered.

One possible project that’s in the preliminary stages is the restoration of the Old Main Building on the Montana Veterans Home campus. Farming for the Future Academy Director Sherry Lewis-Peterson has been in discussions with stakeholders to potentially convert the building into an arts and education center.

The Old Main is one of the oldest buildings in Columbia Falls and was once the main home for veterans.

It has been empty for decades, though a few years ago, funding was secured by then Sen. Conrad Burns to put a new roof on the structure and secure the windows.

The Academy already has a relationship with the Veterans Home. It operates a garden on the campus for veterans and area youths, and also has some farm animals, including a pony and a llama that often make the trip over to the home to visit with the veterans.

The hearing is at 7 p.m. at council chambers. Another hearing will be held in June, as well.