Council considers offer to buy fourth Old School Station lot

Yet another Old School Station lot could soon be off the market.

On Monday evening, the Kalispell City Council will consider an offer to purchase Lot 9 of the city-owned property behind Fun Beverage.

Kalispell took ownership of the Old School Station from Flathead County in 2015. But it wasn't until early this year that developers took significant interest in the property.

By mid-March, half of the six available lots had been sold.

On Monday, the City Council will consider selling a fourth lot, Lot 9, to Clifton Jones for the city's asking price of $228,420. The council's meeting agenda indicates his offer is the only one on the table.

Jones earlier this year sought to purchase Lot 3A but was narrowly outbid by Kalispell Public Schools, which paid $440,000, well above the listing price of $409,658. Jones offered $420,000 for the same parcel.

THE COUNCIL also will consider applying for state funding to build a small stretch of pedestrian trail along Four Mile Drive.

The current trail configuration on the edge of the Kidsports complex includes a short section where trail users must use the road or the shoulder. The city's Public Works Department is working on plans to install about 815 feet of connective trail there and add a lighted pedestrian crossing at Meadow Vista Loop.

The council on Monday will consider applying for funding from the Montana Department of Transportation's Transportation Alternative Program. If the application is successful, the department would complete the design and use its own staff or contractors for the installation.

The city must submit its application by June 4. If approved on Monday, a public hearing on the project would be scheduled for May 3.

Lastly, the council will consider appointments by the mayor to 14 city boards and commissions that have vacancies. A list of the openings and the mayor's appointees can be found on the city's website.

The meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers. Instructions for tuning in via Zoom also can be found on the city's website.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com