Whitefish gets a look at Block 46

The Daily Inter Lake

A public meeting June 5 will give Whitefish residents a chance to ask questions about the Block 46 project that will redevelop an entire city block in downtown Whitefish.

Great Northern Ventures unveiled plans several months ago for the block between Spokane and Kalispell avenues, and Second and Third streets, that once was anchored by Stacey Oil Co. At the southeast entrance to Whitefish's historic downtown, the block borders a quiet residential neighborhood on the east side.

Developers intend to build a mix of high-density residential units and commercial space.

Great Northern Ventures managing partner Paul Johannsen is a former president of the Whitefish branch of First Interstate Bank. He's partners with Mark Kvamme of Sequoia Capital and Richard Fuld, Lehman Brothers Holding chief executive officer. Kvamme and Johannsen are the principal managers of Block 46.

A planning team for the project has met with the city of Whitefish Planning and Public Works staff, the Whitefish Housing Authority, residential neighbors, downtown business owners, Whitefish Middle School, Whitefish Foursquare Church, Heart of Whitefish board, Whitefish Chamber of Commerce board and the Whitefish Rotary Club to provide information and request input on the project.

Initial plans call for about 10,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor along Spokane Avenue, with an anchor tenant at the corner of Spokane and Second.

Forty-four fractional-ownership vacation homes would be built on the second and third floors behind the retail area, along with 12 condominium units for short-term rentals and an inner courtyard. A fourth floor with upscale larger dwellings is planned but may need a height variance.

The Whitefish master plan calls for high-density residential development in the town's core.

The June 5 meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center. It will include a short presentation about the project and introduction of the planning team, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and provide input.

Community participation is encouraged.