North Kalispell bustling with construction while more on the horizon

Drivers along U.S. 93 witness the construction activity as homes appear in new subdivisions and commercial buildings pop up on what was once open plots of land north of Reserve Drive. It’s all part of the continued growth seen across Flathead Valley.  

“There’s a lot of different things happening up there and they're all at different stages in development,” said PJ Sorensen, the assistant director of developmental services for Kalispell.  

Some of the projects were approved just last year and others have been in the works for more than a decade. Construction is underway on a hotel on the west side of U.S. 93, while plans have been submitted to the city for a new Costco warehouse to the east.  

Just across U.S. 93 from the Kalispell Ford dealership, a four-story Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel is taking shape. Located on Rivers Edge Loop, the hotel, according to city documents, will be 62,210 square feet upon completion, with a maximum occupancy of 494. It's a project valued at $12 million.  

The hotel is part of the larger Stillwater Bend commercial and residential development at the intersection of Rose Crossing and U.S. 93. A sign announcing a Kalispell Superwash not far from the hotel says the business will include a wash with 7 foot, 2 inch clearance express tunnel wash and pet washes.  

Construction of Phase 1 — approved by the city in 2020 — covered city utilities and commercial units. Phase 2, approved in December 2023, is planned for more than 400 residential units.  

The subdivision is planned to contain 432 multi-family units on a 30-acre parcel. The residential area is set to be located west of the commercial properties running up to the Stillwater River.  

A new traffic light was constructed at the Rose Crossing and U.S. 93 intersection during the first phase. Other future roadways are planned for the area, including a potential bridge over the Stillwater River.  

In total, Stillwater Bend encompasses 56 acres. The property is owned by Spartan Holdings, LLC.  

To the north in Silverbrook Estates, a 325-acre development, construction is ongoing on new homes. Reservations are being taken for homes in the Riverside North neighborhood in the northwest area of the project, according to Westcraft Homes, the company behind the subdivision. The first phase of Riverside North includes 17 home sites that back up to the Stillwater River.  

Sandwiched between the Northern Pines Golf Course and Silverbrook Estates the Stillwater Village development, which was approved by Kalispell in April 2023 is planned for 181 lots on nearly 47 acres. It’s planned to be developed in eight phases.  

The plat calls for 67 single-family homes and 114 attached townhouse-style homes. The project also includes the construction of some streets, common areas and 20 acres set aside for as park area and park access.  

To the east of U.S. 93 are the recently approved Tronstad Meadows and Whitetail Crossing residential projects on 110 acres. Council approved a modified plan that included less home sites after comments from neighbors that the projects are too dense.  

Together, the subdivisions are expected to include 355 single-family lots ranging from 6,000 to 14,000 square feet. There will be construction on U.S. 93 during the project while the Montana Department of Transportation builds a northbound right turn lane onto Tronstad and left- and right-hand turns lanes on the highway.  

Construction is not anticipated until next spring on the project brought forward by developers Jon Sonju and Frank Garner, two former Republican lawmakers. Garner pointed out the project includes playgrounds, dog parks, sidewalks, paved streets and several parks.  

“As somebody who has grown up here and raised his family here, we found ourselves at the intersection of wanting to preserve what we love about this and wanting to provide opportunity to the next generation of friends and family,” said Garner. 

Located under the Kalispell water tower along U.S. 93, the Montana Imaging Center has opened.  The center offers a low-cost alternative for CT and MRI imaging. 

A long time in discussion and construction, the Kalispell North Town Center continues with residential and commercial east of the Rose Crossing and U.S. 93 intersection. Roads first began taking shape in the subdivision in 2017. 

Multiple buildings have been constructed in the 350-acre subdivision since 2019, including the Kalispell Ford dealership and Sherwin Williams. More are currently under construction and in planning or development, including medical offices, a dental office, a mortgage company and future financial services.  

Costco has submitted a building permit to relocate near the North Town Center on Jefferson Boulevard, according to city officials, but the permit has not yet been approved. Costco declined to comment on future construction, citing company policy. 

Also, east of 93 are two other residential developments, Dusty Acres and Eagle Valley Ranch.  

Located south of Hagerman Lane, Dusty Acres was annexed into the city last year. The 52 acres is zoned R-4 residential.  

North of Eagle Valley Drive, a project that first got the green light in 2018 and later expanded in 2022, Eagle Valley Ranch is a mixed-use development on about 107 total acres. Phases four through six were approved in early 2024 and include 137 single-family and multi-use units on just under 40 acres.  

Planned for Church Drive just south of Majestic Valley Arena, a development centered on a publicly accessible youth center is still in the works. The Farm District project on 40 acres approved in 2022 also calls for commercial development and 102 housing units.  

The youth center is expected to be 140,000 square feet in size and include a turf field, sports courts, locker rooms and more.  

“There is nothing I can share yet, but I have some good news coming soon,” said Flathead Valley Youth Center nonprofit member Kelcy Bingham.  

Development is slow, Sorensen said, and a lot of these projects will take years to complete. Development in the Kalispell North Town Center has been going on for nearly 20 years, he noted.  

“With a lot of these developments, things really take years to decades for things to really develop out. It takes time to get the infrastructure in, to build things,” he said. “These things you are seeing take time.” 

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.

    The Home2 Suites by Hilton under construction north of Kalispell on Tuesday, Dec. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Part of the area that will be developed in coming years in North Kalispell seen from above. (Chris Peterson/Hungry Horse News)