The potential sale of a city lot to engineering firm Robert Peccia and Associates (RPA) is the lone agenda item tonight for the Kalispell City Council.

The city is considering selling Lot 48 of the Aspen Creek Subdivision west of South Meridian Road to RPA for $71,212.

The lot was part of the original plan for the city’s installation of the Westside Sewer Interceptor. The new sewer interceptor was installed this fall. It is more than 8 miles long and is expected to service northern and western parts of Kalispell for at least the next 20 years.

RPA was the city’s consultant for the project planning, design, property acquisition and construction management on the sewer project. The original design for the project, which was outlined in 2014, routed the interceptor from a county subdivision to the south of the development, through Lot 48 of the Ashley Creek Subdivision.

However, the city was ultimately unable to secure the necessary easements to go through with this initial route. The interceptor was eventually rerouted, and, according to the meeting agenda, the city “has no further municipal use for Lot 48.”

As a result, RPA is offering to pay the total cost of $71,212 incurred by the City for Lot 48 and the associated consultant fees. This cost includes $65,227 the city paid for the lot, as well as $5,985 for the associated consultant fees. Additionally, RPA is promising to pay for all closing costs associated with the property sale.

IN HIS report for the meeting, City Manager Doug Russell reported the city has made two recent steps toward completing the Downtown Core Area Trail in Kalispell.

The project, which eventually aims to install a multi-use paved path along almost 2 miles of former railroad tracks through downtown Kalispell, has been in the works for about 10 years.

The city has now secured the rail line through the Kalispell Core Area, which was formerly used by BNSF Railway. This development is “paving the way for removal of the track to be replaced with a linear pedestrian park and trail, spanning approximately 1.6 miles from Meridian Road to the bridge over Highway 2 East.”

The city is now in possession of a historic train locomotive that will be placed as a feature along the trail, according to Russell’s report. The city reportedly worked with Klarr Locomotive Industries to locate and restore Great Northern locomotive #657, which has now made its way from Washington State to Kalispell.

Another historic train engine was placed along the future site of the trail earlier this year, but it quickly fell victim to vandalism. According to the report, Great Northern locomotive #657 “will soon take the place of the current engine located above Woodland Park.”

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. via Zoom videoconference. The link to register is https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2vHu4BOLRPKK_N2PWKKB6w.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at (406)-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.