A $2.5 million master plan to renovate and preserve Depot Park in Whitefish will be considered during a public hearing at tonight’s Whitefish City Council meeting.

The one-block park area near the train depot is the last bastion of green space in downtown Whitefish and is used for a number of community events such as the Farmers Market, Huckleberry Days and the July 4 arts festival.

Preservation of the green space was a recommendation in downtown master plan adopted in 2006.

The City Council voted to buy the 1.8-acre property in 2005 for $3.8 million. The deal included a land swap of 2.5 acres so Park Side Federal Credit Union, which owned and operated the building at the park, could build a new facility on Baker Avenue.

The city land swapped was valued at $1.7 million, leaving the city with a balance of $2.1 million to pay the credit union within the next 3 1/2 years. The city finally acquired the park property in October 2009.

The railroad originally owned the land and used it at one point for temporary railroad housing.

A steering committee has spent the better part of a year working on the master plan and getting public input. Three public open-house sessions were held to discuss park improvements.

Among the recommendations are developing a covered pavilion for small performances and daily use, public restrooms, a water feature, increased parking and a historical/interpretive sign area.

About 30 percent of the park is occupied by structures, paved parking areas and a dilapidated pond. The Whitefish Planning and Building and Parks and Recreation departments occupy the former credit union building, and a drive-through facility remains on the property.

While the drive-through could be removed at any point, the other building would remain in place until a new City Hall is constructed, according to the master plan.

The park perimeter would be enhanced with a streetscape to match the recently rebuilt Central Avenue and paved pedestrian areas would be placed at the four corners for small event gatherings.

Twelve trees will need to be removed due to condition or park renovation, Of those, five are dead, four are in poor condition and three are in good condition.

Four new trees would be added to the remaining 20 trees. All but one of the existing conifers would remain.

The master plan comes with a $2.5 million cost projection to fully develop. That breaks down to about $1.7 million for park and street improvements, $205,000 for parking improvements along Depot Street and $542,000 to develop a snow storage lot for event parking and additional green space.

Tax increment revenue has been recommended to pay for the master plan, which would be completed in phases.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, the council will get an update on the U.S. 93 Whitefish West Project to rebuild the highway in three segments from Lupfer Avenue west to mile post 133 near Spencer Lake. Right-of-way acquisitions still are under way. Construction on the first segment — from Lupfer to Karrow Avenue — is expected to begin this fall.

The council will hold a joint work session with the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce board of directors from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m.; both meetings are at Whitefish City Hall.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.