Kalispell launches trial 'parklets' program

Summer opportunities for outdoor dining and shopping in downtown Kalispell?

Quite possibly.

Kalispell is giving downtown businesses a new chance to temporarily expand out into the city streets with the launch of a “parklets” program.

The trial initiative lets businesses apply for a $10 permit to set up makeshift operations in street parking spaces in front of their stores.

“Parklets can be used to create outside seating and dining, provide additional bike storage, or potentially provide businesses with additional space to display products for customer perusal.”

So says an informational sheet to explain the parklets concept put out by the Kalispell Public Works Department.

While the parklets would occupy parking spaces, they could provide businesses with more space to help people enjoy themselves on the streets of downtown Kalispell.

“There was a request from downtown businesses to allow people to extend dining-type operations into street areas and public works has come up with a licensing process for that,” City Manager Doug Russell recently told the Kalispell City Council.

“It’s kind of a temporary thing to see how it goes, if we can incorporate some of those new ideas that are happening in other communities into Kalispell.”

The trial program is available only in the Kalispell Business Improvement District.

That includes the downtown core, spanning from the alley west of First Avenue West to the alley east of First Avenue East, and from Fourth Street north to Center Street.

It also roughly includes land between East Center Street and Idaho Street from the east side of Main Street to Third Avenue East North.

No permits have been applied for yet, city officials said.

Parklets are seasonal and only allowed from May 15 through Oct. 31. Permits are expected to have a five-day review and turnaround time.

Russell said the parklets discussion started before his arrival to the city in mid-June.

“It was requested by the Kalispell Business Improvement District, which is always looking for new ways to bolster activities in the downtown area,” he said.

“Maybe we have something that will work. If it does, great. If it doesn’t, we’ll see if anything needs to be modified or done in another fashion.”

More information about Parklets is online at www.kalispell.com/public_works/permits.php. Photos of parklets are included in the documentation. Questions can also be directed to the public works department at 758-7720.

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