Missoula OKs 252 Units Along Clark Fork River Through 2035

MISSOLA, Mont. (Day.News) — City planners in Missoula approved a significant residential development adding 252 housing units on undeveloped land along the Clark Fork River, with construction slated from 2025 through 2035. Initially reported by the Billings Gazette, the project targets open parcels in the city's growing urban renewal zones, responding to Montana's acute housing shortage. Local leaders tout it as a vital step to accommodate population growth in the Garden City, where median home prices have surged past $550,000 amid influxes from out-of-state buyers.

The approval aligns with broader riverfront revitalization efforts, including the nearby Riverfront Triangle project at the southwest corner of Orange and Front streets. There, Averill Hospitality — a Montana-based firm with deep Missoula ties — is finalizing a $4 million purchase of 1.99 acres for a mixed-use powerhouse: a 180-room hotel, 15,000 square feet of conference space, a public riverfront plaza, potential condominiums and a new parking facility. City officials estimate Averill's total investment will exceed $100 million, bolstering tax revenue via tax-increment financing while enhancing trail connectivity and supporting the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Separate initiatives underscore Missoula's housing momentum. The North MRL Triangle project on 8 acres north of Montana Rail Link Park promises over 200 units, with more than 190 deed-restricted for affordability, adjacent to the Bitterroot Trail and near Southgate Mall. Meanwhile, Freestone Homes markets luxury builds near the Clark Fork, capitalizing on the river's allure. These efforts come as the Clark Fork Coalition advances Phase 7 cleanup of mine waste in the Upper Clark Fork corridor, a 40-acre site south of Deer Lodge costing $5 million, ensuring river health amid development.

Critics worry about strain on the Clark Fork's ecosystem, with ongoing restoration projects like the city's River Access initiative balancing recreation and habitat. Planners emphasize pedestrian links, floodplain access and voluntary tax donations to mitigate impacts. As Missoula's population nears 80,000, these river-hugging builds could redefine the skyline — if environmental safeguards hold firm.