Kalispell City Council revisits Main Street Safety Action Plan as federal funding returns

The embattled Main Street Safety Action Plan is returning to City Hall as councilors once again consider whether to pursue a federal grant to fund the projects proposed in the document.  

Kalispell City Council at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.  

Council will hold a work session to consider whether to apply for the U.S. Department of Transportation grant and to determine which projects it would fund. Developed after the municipality received a federal grant in 2022, the safety plan identified high-risk intersections and streets in downtown Kalispell, prioritizing Main Street, First Avenue East and First Avenue West for safety improvements such as high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions and roundabouts. 

One of the projects called for slimming Main Street from four lanes to three and redistributing the space for wider sidewalks. 

Council adopted the plan in 2024, but the going got tough as the city moved toward applying for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation Grant to fund the work. Residents raised concerns about narrowing Main Street, predicting it would cause nightmarish traffic delays and disrupt downtown businesses during construction.  

In a 5-4 vote, Council ultimately decided against applying for the federal grant. Several councilors echoed residents’ concerns, despite a city study estimating traffic delays of just 30 to 60 seconds, which would increase to 60 to 90 seconds by 2045.

Mayor Ryan Hunter, who served as a councilor during the June 2024 vote, supported pursuing the grant and has repeatedly advocated for slimming Main Street, arguing it would make downtown more walkable.  

Funding for projects outlined in the plan is now available again. In March, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced nearly $690 million available through the grant program. The city is expected to pursue the maximum request of $25 million, according to a memo from Community Development Manager Nelson Loring.  

Downtown Kalispell Forward plans to move away from advocating for narrowing Main Street and instead focus on other safety projects included in the plan, according to Kalispell Chamber President Lorraine Clarno. 

The organization, made up of several business-focused groups, formed over the winter after efforts to spruce up downtown — including a pursuit of the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant — failed to gain traction with the city.  

The grant application is due May 26.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.