City will hold workshop on downtown parking
Parking on Nucleus Avenue, particularly in the evenings, is always tight.
Hungry Horse News
Not so long ago, anyone could find a parking place on Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls. A few years ago, one block was nothing but a storage space for a businessman who dealt in faux and real antiques.
But times have changed. More people live in downtown now and more housing is planned. Beneath the housing there are shops and restaurants and the now constant draw of tourism.
As such, the parking has slowly, but surely, constricted.
Finding a parking spot in front of the business you’re trying to visit can be impossible. Particularly if it’s a restaurant or bar.
In short, parking is a bit of problem on Nucleus Avenue. To that end, Columbia Falls City Council at 6:30 p.m. April 11 will hold a special workshop to discuss downtown parking and possible solutions, if there are any.
Businessman Dave Petersen recently suggested to council that the city acquire the CenturyLink building and Three Rivers Ambulance buildings.
They could be razed and used for parking, he suggested.
Developer Mick Ruis, who is building apartments and retail space in the city square has parking as part of the plan for development.
The next phase includes a boutique hotel which will have valet parking to a lot he owns adjacent to Smith’s Food and Drug.
But parking will still likely be pushed farther out from the city square as business increases on Nucleus.
Some have suggested a parking garage.
But those aren’t cheap. Kalispell recently received a $9-million-plus bid for a parking garage it has plans for. It estimated it would cost $7 million.
The Columbia Falls meeting is open to the public. Residents and businesses are encouraged to attend.