Open house looks at future of south Kalispell

Residents scribbled on survey sheets and mingled with architects at an open house Tuesday to give their take on the development of south Kalispell along the U.S. 93 corridor. 

Representatives were on hand from CTA Architects Engineers, the firm hired by the city to explore planning options. 

With the Kalispell City Airport as the area’s central piece, many people had opinions on the future of the facility.

“I enjoy living here,” said Charlie Howard, a resident of South Woodland Drive. “You see all kinds of things take off. I enjoy it very much.”

Proponents of airport development say they hope Federal Aviation Administration money could still be used to expand the airport. Studies have identified a laundry list of potential improvements, from runway extensions to building relocation.

John Talmage, a pilot who also owns a business along the airport’s boundary, said the federal money would take the burden off of local taxpayers. The proposed expansion, he said, would benefit everyone.

“If that airport were improved, it would be safer,” he said.

Opponents of the airport improvement have said that noise and safety are concerns for an airstrip surrounded by residential and commercial areas. 

A 2013 referendum vote in Kalispell halted airport expansion and improvement plans. Now the city is gathering comments on the vision for the entire area.

Wayne Freeman with CTA said that developments inside and outside the airport don’t need to be mutually exclusive. He said that there are infrastructure opportunities for all sectors.

South Kalispell is developing outside the airport. Kalispell Public Schools recently purchased a plot south of the airport to build a school. Businesses and other structures that are already in place impede on landing space for pilots, according to the 2012 airport master plan.

One woman at the open house said that she thinks only one side will prevail — the airport or the outside commercial and residential areas. 

Freeman said that CTA is working to consider all angles and help the city find a solution.

“It’s not just the airport,” he said. “We’re looking at this from more of a community-wide standpoint.”

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.