* New design and construction coming summer 2008.

In the 188o's, Bozeman's economic fortunes blossomed with the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway. The railroad company established a depot at the northeast end of the young city which connected us with distant markets. The town's early entrepreneurs established flour mills, freight storage, and a brewery. Most of these early enterprises have receded into history.

Much has happened in Bozeman since those early days, but through all of the growth and changes, the Northeast end has preserved its unique character, especially in its mix of commercial and residential use. As Bozeman continues to grow, the need for "infill" becomes more pronounced: redeveloping existing space to meet the community's housing and commerical needs rather than sprawling outward. The Mill District's redevelopment will be compact, pedestrian friendly, energy efficient, and will reflect the historical nature of its urban landscape. Local planners, architects, landscape designers, and construction firms are working with the City and neighbors to retain the qualities which make this area of town unique.

Montana's first "Urban Village" is part of a local and national desire to live closer to the core elements that make up day-to-day living, working, and access to recreation. To this end, the primary goal of the Mill District is to provide a convenient, safe, and well-planned neighborhood within which people can live and work. A dynamic plan of offices, retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues creates a streetscape that is inviting for the resident who lives above one of the shops, as well as for the visitor who stays for the day to enjoy the shopping, small parks, and community plazas.

An important part of the urban renewal plan is the creation of a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) for this portion of the Northeast end. TIF-status helps finance improvements to the areas infrastructure, updating and adding street lights, sidewalks, small parks, and improving access to the City's existing trail system. Increased tax revenues from the area will pay for the development of its infrastructure, another advantage and goal of an Urban Village.

The Loft Building and the Freight Building, the first two sites of the project, will be constructed on the former site of Molerway Freight Company. These buildings provide thirteen (13) loft-style residential units and approximately 8,000 square feet of commercial space. We broke ground in December, 2005.

Information on Urban Villages accross the country.