Kalispell City Council poised to approve land deal for Parkline Trail expansion

Kalispell City Council will discuss and vote Monday on moving forward with a deal to purchase an additional section of retired railway that could extend the municipality’s Parkline Trail.

The multi-use trail, which opened in July 2022, is part of Kalispell’s efforts to revitalize the city’s downtown area by transforming the urban rail corridor.

At a Council work session last week, the idea of buying and annexing the second section of land, with the hopes of extending the park project, earned unanimous support.

Purchasing the stretch was discussed as part of the initial project, but the city decided to complete the first section before moving forward.

City staff have entered into negotiations with BNSF Railway to purchase the plot, which is an additional 14.4 acres along railroad tracks running from Meridian Road to Fenn Way and then south to Foys Lake Road. The plot would extend the western boundary of the park.

The agreement is for the plot as-is at a price of $50,000, but the city would need to survey and perform an environmental assessment of the property after purchase, according to City Manager Doug Russell.

COUNCIL WILL also vote on doubling planning department fees to roughly cover the costs incurred by the agency in the review process.

The fees have not been updated since at least 2015, according to Planning Director Jarod Nygren.

The resolution also includes a fee increase of 5 percent each fiscal year going forward, in an attempt to keep them pegged with inflation.

Finally, Council will be considering appointments to various citizen advisory boards and committees for vacancies and terms expiring April 30.

Committees include the Board of Adjustment, the Conrad Mansion Board, Architectural Review Committee, the Planning Board, the Police Commission and others.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.