Missoula north side plan moves 93-acre Scott Street land ahead

MISSOULA, Mont. — A 93-acre stretch on Missoula’s north side moved a step closer to redevelopment after city leaders approved an expansion of the Scott Street Urban Renewal District.

The change centered on land near North Reserve and Scott Street that had once been used for industrial purposes and was recently added to city limits. City leaders said timing mattered because the property had just come into the city.

Officials described the area as largely undeveloped and one of the few remaining places with room for a larger project. Housing came up during the discussion, but officials confirmed no final decision had been made about what would be built there.

The expansion opened the door for tax increment financing for infrastructure tied to the site. That included possible roadways, water lines and sewer connections through the urban renewal district process.

"The expanding the urban renewal district will make, tax increment financing available for infrastructure projects that can help build out the necessary roadways, water lines, sewer connections to make this site, a viable candidate for well-thought-out, cohesive redevelopment," said Michael Hicks, project manager of Missoula Redevelopment Agency.

City leaders said the approval did not commit the site to any single project. Instead, it moved the planning process forward as a master plan examines housing needs, infrastructure and cost.

That master planning work was expected to wrap up in September. A final plan could be adopted soon after through the city process.

Any future development would likely happen in phases over a much longer timeline.