North Higgins Streetscape Improvements Construction Update:
Construction is scheduled to begin this week in North Higgins Avenue.  Knife River will be working to replace water mains dating from 1941 or earlier.

Work will begin at the intersection of Pine and Higgins on Wednesday, March 10th.  The contractor will construct two short connecting mains across Pine Street – one to the east of Higgins and one to the west.  Water users may be affected by brief water shutdowns during construction.  However, the contractor is required to notify all water users prior to any water shutdown.

Once the ties in Pine Street are complete, the contractor will begin replacement of the water main on the east side of Higgins Avenue, beginning at Pine Street and working north.  Two lanes of traffic and one lane of parking in Higgins Avenue and acceptable access to all businesses shall be maintained during construction.

The Downtown Business Improvement District of Missoula enhances the vitality of downtown Missoula by facilitating commerce, promoting investment, enhancing streetscapes, conducting maintenance and improving security and safety for the Downtown Business District, the City of Missoula, and the people of Montana.

Comprising approximately 70-blocks of the Central Business District, the boundaries of the Downtown Business Improvement District of Missoula are generally from the Madison Street Bridge as the East boundary, Scott Street as the West boundary, Montana Rail Link on the North side and generally the Clark Fork River Corridor on the South side, as well as the commercial corridor (or Hip Strip) on Higgins Avenue to Brooks Street. (BID Map)

More than 542 property parcels are contained within the area.  Special assessments of approximately $225,000 (Budget) collected annually from property owners within the boundary fund activities, programs and management that will benefit the environment and experience for all Downtown users.  Property assessments are based on land and improvement values, and assessments are based on property value, location (Zone 1, Zone 2) and in some cases square footage.