The Supplemental Environmental Assessment for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project has been available for public review and comment for a 30-day period from October 21, 2019 to November 19, 2019 ending at 5 pm.  The document is available in hard copy at the Kalispell City Hall Water Department, the Kalispell ImagineIF Library Reference Department and online at: https://www.kalispell.com/164/Community-Development or https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P1038.

​The public is invited to attend public open house events on Thursday, November 7, 2019, from 11 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm at Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Avenue East, Kalispell, MT.  City staff will be available to answer questions and take written comments. Interested persons may also submit comments on the SEA to the City of Kalispell via U.S. Mail to Katharine King, City of Kalispell Community and Economic Development department, 201 1st Avenue East, Kalispell, Montana 59901 or via email to kking@kalispell.com. For additional information in advance, contact Katharine King at 406-758-7713. You can also learn more at: https://www.kalispell.com/DocumentCenter/View/2765/Fall-2019-Core--Rail-Redevelopment-Project-Newsletter
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UPDATED 8-12-19
CITY STAFF WILL BE DISCUSSING THE DESIGN DRAFT WITH THE PUBLIC ON AUGUST 13, FROM 6 TO 8 P.M. AT THE PICNIC IN THE PARK CONCERT AT DEPOT PARK. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
The Kalispell Trail & Complete Street 30% Design Submittal (draft) was released by Alta Planning + Design on July 31, 2019. City Staff will be available during the Northwest Montana Fair August 14 thru 16 at the north end of the Expo Building to share information on the TIGER grant Glacier Rail Park and Kalispell Trail project updates. Information on the Glacier Rail Park which was completed in January will be available including drone footage documenting the construction. Additionally, the 30% design plans for the Kalispell Trail will be available for public review and comment. Watch for City Staff sharing this design draft at other community events. The 30% design draft is now available on the City of Kalispell website on the Community Development webpage.

The Kalispell Trail & Complete Streets Concept Design Report prepared by Alta Planning + Design will be presented for the first time to the Kalispell City Council during their March 11, 2019, 7 p.m. work session. This document represents a refined concept plan. It has been reviewed by the Trail Crew who has proposed several modifications and additions prior to considering it a final document. It is anticipated this will occur within the next two months. The city will also revisit the complete street portion of the project by submitting a Supplemental Environmental Assessment document reconsidering all proposed alignments prior to selecting a preferred route. This should be complete during the summer of 2019. In terms of the overall project time frame, CHS and Northwest Drywall should be moved out of the Core Area and into their new facilities by this fall. Track removal and trail construction would then begin spring of 2020 with completion in late 2020.
Content excerpted from Katharine King's staff report for the work session on March 11, 2019.

The Grand Opening of the Glacier Rail Park is now a part of history as the momentous occasion was celebrated October 8, 2018. The Glacier Rail Park expands transportation options for freight movement with the only trans-load facility in the region. 

​Many of the leaders that spurred this project on to fruition were present at the grand opening of the Rail Park. Speakers like Jerry Meerkatz, CEO of Montana West Economic Development. Senator Jon Tester, a representative from Senator Steve Daines, and City Manager Doug Russell, all spoke to the ability of teamwork and partnerships to make this vision a reality. Tenacity was also a central theme as it took many years and creatively working through obstacle after obstacle to see this day come. Speeches and acknowledgements during the rail park opening ceremony were recorded live on Facebook and video coverage can be found on YouTube. Drone footage of the celebration can also be found at https://youtu.be/346amFjEhoo. 

​Now we can look to the future of the rail park and to the economic vitality this piece of infrastructure will attract and support. If you think your company might be a good fit for this brand new industrial rail served park, Kim Morisaki with Montana West Economic Development is the person to speak with. She can be reached at 406-257-7711 or by emailing info@dobusinessinmontana.com.

KPAX.com | Mark R. Thorsell

​Please join us as we celebrate the Grand Opening of the Glacier Rail Park and thank all of the supporters who have helped the project come to fruition! 

To commemorate the occasion, there will be a ribbon cutting, exploration and explanation of the site, refreshments, and a ceremonial driving of a Golden Spike! 

Please RSVP to Dorothy Meyer at Dorothy@DoBusinessInMontana.com or by calling 406.257.7711 ext. 2. Please enter the event site from Whitefish Stage.

We hope to see you there!

Watch the video below taken August 29, 2018 to see how progress is coming along at the Glacier Rail Park. A 3-D Overhead Image can also be viewed. 

​The City of Kalispell will have a booth set up at two upcoming community events to talk with the public about preliminary design and trail alignment for the upcoming Kalispell Trail. These are great opportunities to see initial design boards, talk with staff and provide feedback in a fun, relaxed atmosphere while listening to great music.

Come by and talk with us at the final Picnic in the Park concert for the year, Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at
​6 p.m. at Depot Park; and
the final Thursday!Fest concert for the year, Thursday, August 30, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. on the lawn at The Museum at Central School.