Kalispell finds sidewal proposal costly

The Daily Inter lake

In a work session Monday night, the Kalispell City Council reviewed a sidewalk project that residents of the Crestline subdivision requested. The project would install sidewalks from the subdivision to Idaho Street.

The project likely would cost at least $171,000 and might run up to twice that if utilities had to be buried, Public Works Director Jim Hansz told the council. Neither figure includes costs of purchasing easements if they were necessary. The project would cover tricky topography and includes other factors that make installing sidewalks in that area a pricey project, he said.

The council directed staff members to meet with neighbors to explain the cost and discuss financing options, such as establishing a special improvement district.

Also in the work session, the council told staff to wait on constructing a hangar at the Kalispell City Airport for the use of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

The council said it would rather see the state work with a private developer to build the hangar but would not rule out the idea completely at this point.

If Kalispell built the hangar, it would cost about $172,000 and the city would then lease it to the state, which would have the option to buy it in the future.