PURPOSE AND NEED (Download this PDF - 2.73mb)

Growth in the Gallatin Valley has been at a record pace over the last several years. Most
of this growth is occurring on the city’s periphery with annexations at an all time high.
While growth benefits the community, a more sustainable and efficient development
strategy needs to be implemented. In fact one of the City of Bozeman’s growth
objectives states:“Develop infill within the existing area of the City rather than
developing land requiring expansion of the City’s area.” In an effort to promote infill
development a region within the city of Bozeman has been identified for the creation of
an urban renewal district. Montana law allows for the creation of such a district and
dictates that these areas must constitute an economic and social liability to be eligible for
urban renewal status.

Sprawl over burdens the municipality’s infrastructure cost and the overall well being of a
community, promoting infill development through the creation of an Urban Renewal
District (URD) can mitigate certain economic and social liabilities. The area chosen for
this study is located in the northeast part of Bozeman that was once the core for industry.
The dynamics of industry have changed in the hundred or so years since its prime.
Elements of this bygone era are still present but have been left in a mostly dilapidated
state. This region was chosen because it is an opportune place to promote infill
development within the city’s core.

This study will describe the statutory conditions that constitute blight and the conditions
that exist in the study area that are “blighted”. Consideration should then be given to the
creation of an Urban Renewal District to first of all eliminate the conditions that
constitute blight and to further promote the goals and objectives of Bozeman’s growth
policy. If the commission adopts a resolution of necessity finding that blight exists
within all or a portion of the study area and determining that the rehabilitation and /or
redevelopment of the area is in the interest of the public health, safety, morals or welfare
of the residents of Bozeman, the staff will oversee the preparation of an urban renewal
plan. The plan will examine the feasibility and desirability of implementing an urban
renewal program and will make recommendations for correcting those conditions
contributing to “blight”.

STUDY AREA
The area that was evaluated for the creation of an Urban Renewal District (URD)
is situated in the Northeast section of town. The area has vacant land,
underutilized property and many neglected and dilapidated properties. A good
portion of the district has Bozeman Creek running through it however little has
been done to promote or preserve this valuable amenity. Many historic buildings
in the area once owned by the founding families of the city have been neglected
and gone into disrepair. The street network is below standard and in many cases
nonexistent. This region has also been a bottle neck in the city’s transportation
plan, and solutions to this could be reconciled through the creation of a URD.
The proximity of the study area to downtown makes it even more valuable as a
new redevelopment area. (figure 1)