HomeMy WebLinkAboutURD MTA Bozeman Creek Memo 11-24-20
TO: Downtown URD Board FR: Chris Naumann DA: November 24, 2020
RE: MTA Bozeman Creek Update and Next Steps
The FY2021 Work Plan and Budget includes directive to begin working on Bozeman Creek: DBIP: Bozeman Creek Project the URD intends to continue planning for a variety of enhancements to Bozeman Creek as suggested in the 2019 Downtown Improvement Plan with $30,000 of funding. An additional $50,000 is budgeted for creek improvements that
could include a combination of public art, education elements, culvert improvements, furniture (benches, picnic tables), stream restoration, and bank stabilization.
Back in July 2020, we contracted with Mountain Times Art to begin convening stakeholders, engaging community partners, and developing programs and projects to enhance Bozeman Creek as recommended in the 2019 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan. The contract stipulates that the work
be divided into two distinct parts. The pages included below document the Part One’s completed work. Highlights include establishing three working committees (Communications & Funding, Placemaking & Art, Water Resources); initial branding and public awareness campaign (#seebozemancreek, Instagram, Facebook); and engaging important community partners (GVLT, Gallatin Watershed Council, Trust for Public Lands, MSU, City Parks Department). In addition to this completed work is a 39-page technical report prepared by Intrinsik Architecture in conjunction with MTA and the DBP (not included here but available upon request). The idea was to evaluate all the Part One work done to date (the report below and the technical report) and develop a scope of work and deliverables for Part Two. Once developed, the details of Part Two
would be presented to the URD board for feedback. Due to the factors outlined below, I recommend we postpone proceeding with Part Two until second
quarter of 2021.
• The DBP and MTA are in the process of hiring new executive directors. The next leaders of both organizations will play important roles in the long-term improvements to Bozeman Creek. Therefore, it would be beneficial for the new EDs to review the Part One work and develop the
Part Two scope together, so they have ownership over the next steps.
• The COVID pandemic has and will continue to make stakeholder collaboration difficult and public
engagement extremely challenging. The ultimate success of the Bozeman Creek project depends on creative, hands-on interaction and robust community involvement. The hope is that by April or May of 2021, both new EDs will be in place and meaningful participation will be possible. Improving Bozeman Creek has been a goal of every downtown plan since 1995 and our partnership with MTA has resulted in more tangible progress than any efforts in the past. I am confident that this spring will provide the opportunity to continue this important project with the right people at the right time.