Engineer sought for industrial park

The Flathead County Economic Development Authority is looking for an engineering firm to help it build a 40-acre industrial park with rail access just outside the Kalispell city limits.

The economic development organization put out a request for qualifications this week. Applications from interested engineering firms are due May 23.

The hope is to get a firm selected by mid-June and complete preliminary engineering on how the site should be developed by year’s end.

“But without talking to engineers who do this day in and day out, we’re not sure if that’s realistic,” said Kim Morisaki, manager of client development and resources for the authority.

“Our plan is to be aggressive on it within reason.”

The economic development authority closed its purchase of the former McElroy and Wilken gravel pit in late February.

It paid $890,000 for the property, buying it from MDU Resources Group with funding awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration in September 2010.

The land sits between Whitefish Stage Road and a Mission Mountain spur of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line that runs into Kalispell.

The industrial park will offer shovel-ready building sites for businesses that need railroad access.

The initial aim was to develop the property over 18 to 24 months.

But the engineering firm will help put a price tag on what that will cost and how long it will take, and whether the park will be developed all at once or in phases.

Preliminary engineering includes surveys, conceptual planning, public meetings, coordination with the railroad companies, permitting and creation of a design and project budget.

The Flathead County Economic Development Authority will explore the potential for grants, loans and other funding options, but plans mostly to use its own revenues to develop the park.

The property is not being formally marketed yet, but businesses already have started to show preliminary interest in it, said Kellie Danielson, president of the Flathead County Economic Development Authority.

“We’re not afraid to talk about it and see what kind of interest can be created,” Danielson said. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a prospect say they’re looking for a site to create 200 jobs? I promise you we would develop that site for them ASAP.”

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.