1. The group discussed a number of permitting issues/requests to make to the City regarding the walking mall, including (a) waiving the requirement that an event get permission to close a street from business owners on the mall, since the mall is already a closed street, (b) getting a definitive map of existing "vendor" spaces, and (c) implementing open container for specific hours.

Item (a) was agreed to by the group, with the added comment from Savanna that getting permission from business owners is not that hard, but that it isn't necessary since the street is already closed.

Item (b) generated significant discussion as Abigail has a current map of vendor spaces on the mall, which she is working with Heather at the City on, for the parade of lights. The current map identifies a total of 35 or so spaces for vendors between 6th Avenue and Wong Street (i.e., the road that bisects the Windbag block and the library block) on Last Chance Gulch. This layout utilizes a number of off-shoots, such as performance square and the awning directly north of the Livestock Building. Caillie pointed out that the current Farmer's Market has over 110 vendors with a waiting list. Thus, to ever potentially move the Farmer's Market, we would need to significantly increase the number of vendor spots identified by the City. The group discussed extending the vendor locations all the way to the Chamber Building and Pioneer Park. Seth noted that we could work with Jim Burrington, owner of the Commerce Building, about using his building's parking on the weekend. Additionally, the group discussed that, as the City is contemplating changes to greenspaces on the Mall, we should ask the City to try and develop a plan that would allow for 125 vendors on those three blocks.

For Item (c), there wasn't any dissent to asking the City for open containers from 10am to 10pm on the two blocks from Wong Street to 6th Avenue (i.e., excluding the block from the library and the Commerce Building). This would reduce the cost of permitting and more or less codify existing practice, where the City has condoned some open container in some spaces via signage (i.e., in front of Brother's Taproom and in front of Ten Mile / Hawthorne). Allowing continuous open containers would also create a better flow of traffic for patrons between the two blocks. The group would expect the city to still enforce laws against public intoxication and agreed that the hours should match quiet hours, which start at 10pm.

2. The group discussed at length the surface needs for the mall. There was widespread agreement that the surfaces are in poor shape and are not uniform. This issue is complicated by the fact that surfaces are partially the responsibility of the property owners, who have responsibility for the sidewalk in front of their building (such as the Granite Building sidewalk, which is in disrepair), while City Streets has responsibility over the main thoroughfare of Last Chance Gulch. The group discussed two different approaches -- the first being to ask the City to adopt design standards sooner-rather-than-later so that any new repairs instigated by private property owners conform to a consistent design; the second approach being to work with BID, the Chamber, and TIF to fund a comprehensive plan for the mall. It was agreed that a comprehensive plan would be a reference document for improvements and changes to be made, whether incrementally or wholesale, by both public and private entities. A long term plan would also hopefully address other infrastructure problems and/or needs, such as the Placer basement exit, which is a fall hazard for children. For purposes of putting together the "ask" to the City, the group agreed we should outline both -- A. Ask the City to come up with a design standard for the mall's surfaces, and B. Pursue long-term comprehensive planning, which would include landscape architecture and engineering for the whole mall, including the surfaces.

3. Savanna brought forth a petition for free parking in November and December, which generated quite a bit of discussion. Seth, who is on the Advisory Committee, discussed how the Committee is trying to accommodate some of the ongoing issues. Sean questioned the purpose of paid parking if it isn't generating revenue to pay for downtown improvements and isn't moving employee parking off of the main streets. Andrea and others added that public discussions about parking actually deter visitors and that out-of-town visitors see parking as relatively cheap. Dan stated that he had to give employees a raise to help cover parking, while Seth noted that the Committee is working on finding ways to make parking cheaper for employees. In the end, it was generally agreed that the group should have a separate meeting to discuss parking with more concrete information/facts. Savanna said the petition is being discussed at the City Commission meeting tonight.Item description

To Be Added

1. Website

Discussed updates regarding the website, including a call for people to list their business under "Who We Are."

2. MAP Conference

Discussed participation in the MAP Conference with tour led by Zach Coe on October 7, for conference attendees. Depending on the volume of participants, may be able to add some people and to invite city staff (Doug, David, etc.).

3. Fundraiser/Party

Discussed the upcoming fundraiser/birthday party, including banner soliciting donations. 

4. Discussion with Doug Smith from Parks

Good discussion with Doug Smith from Parks

- Doug noted that the Mall is designated as a "right of way," which is under Streets, but the mall is generally managed by Parks.

- Doug said that the City recently did a lidar study for the whole mall and is in the early stages of a master-plan to redesign the mall. This includes some safety design changes to accomodate parades and other uses. The group shared their desire to be part of that process. There was some discussion of what improvements to make in the meantime, such as installing art, replacing trees, etc., if these improvements would need to be removed as part of a big capital improvement project. One solution would be more temporary landscaping (i.e., flower baskets). Brian Obert also pointed out that even if trees have to be later removed, leaving the space vacant wasn't ideal. 

- Doug was going to try and get a sense of the timeline for the capital plan. We are talking to David Knoepke next month, so he may also have some updates.

- There was some discussion of what funds were available for the mall capital improvements, including TIF, BID and other matching grants.

- Broader discussion of preserving the mall's multiple uses -- i.e., pedestrian only, but amenable to having parades, tour trains, etc. Capital plan will have to be thoughtful and comprehensive as there are a lot of variables to juggle.

5. Current Issues

On the current state of landscaping, a number of people noted that some of the green space had not been weeded or kept up as well as in prior years. One solution was to coordinate with Parks on a volunteer weed pulling day in May of next year.

Additional discussion of "Piano"- gate and issue with having pianos on the right of way, or way to regulate who's playing. Discussed balance between overregulation, which would be administratively difficult and may deter people, and underregulation, wherein some people may be annoyed by the piano. This could be a good project for the group to explore -- finding examples of how busking is handled in other cities, particularly in pedestrian areas.

6. Overhead Lighting

Lighting across the mall was discussed as a project the group can work on while the capital plan is getting underway. BID can help identify which buildings have permission, which ones don't. Need to ascertain how the group can help bring this long sought after project to fruition.

7. Old Business

Old business included open container policy and BID updates. Abigail is working on a mural project, including several murals potentially targeted for the mall. Worth considering how the Foundation can support this. Item description

1. MAP Conference

• Working on a “session” for the MAP conference focused on the mall – may want to introduce some business owners during "walking tour."

2. Night Market

• Riley and Brent are interested in organizing a "night market" to utilize underused spaces on the mall and to show capability to host the farmer's market someday; also to help get more retail business on the mall (retail cluster)

• First step: Determine scope, set initial date, map the available spaces, contact vendors, get permit

  • Vendor list could be obtained from Farmer’s Market, Civic Center

  • BID did a map of vendor spaces for christmas markets years ago; Abigail will look for this list from the Micky-era of vendor spots; then need to do own map/proposal

  • Subcommittee formed with Brent, Riley, Savannah, Abigail

  • Abigail notes that BID economic vitality committee has been discussing/working on same idea, so we should partner with them

• Target Friday, September 19, 2025

  • Oktoberfest is Sat., Sep. 20, 2025

  • Farmer’s Market still operational, so opportunity to get vendors from out of town to participate night before

3. Open container proposal

• Discussion of prior efforts to have open container on the mall; in order to have a meaningful discussion, agreed to do anonymous comments and then talk about as a group

• Recognize not all interests are the same

• Possibility of having open container for limited hours (i.e., noon to 10pm)

4. Fundraiser – August 15, 2025

• Sean wants to do a 40th birthday/fundraiser for the foundation

• Need to get website up -- Sean is working on this and will be reaching out to Mac for help

• Dan to open bank account -- goal is to get site and donations acceptable buy July 15

5. Designation

• Continued discussion of the walking mall designation as a right of way or park

• Believe that the City, as part of Forward Helena, has designated the mall a right of way

• But for long-term planning, want to better understand what other walking malls around the country do – Dan volunteered to reach out (below is the list from the prior discussion):

  • 3rd Street Promenade - Santa Monica, CA (ROW’s, removable poles, shops, food, coffee. Similar to our Walking Mall

  • Pearl Street Mall - Boulder, CO

  • Kalispell, MT - Rail Park (they spent $10 million to  tear up the railroad tracks to install a walking path with hopes of flanking it with buildings and businesses)

  • Billings, MT - 29th Street (string lights and events on ROW)

  • Denver, CO - 16th Street (music/pianos, public transportation, etc.)

  • Stephen Ave Walk - Calgary, CA

  • Bourbon Street - New Orleans, LA (which I think is currently in discussion to be designated as pedestrian only)

  • Pitt Street Mall - Sydney, AU

  • Church Street Marketplace - Burlington, VT

6. Updates from BID

• Abigail from BID noted that BID is working on getting the original designer of the BID trash cans to place on the mall (the current ones were temporarily placed by Parks); BID will have art on the trash cans from the holter kids with a QR code that will allow feedback for emptying a can, etc.

• BID is working on a survey going out; encouraged the group to participate so BID gets feedback from business owners as well as property owners

• There is a Parking Commission Meeting Thursday at 4pm in the City/County Building - Abigail encouraged people to attend as she knows there are serious concerns related to the City's current enforcement and its adverse impact on employees/retail businesses

Notes from Meeting w Sanbell
Jeremy, Danielle and Chris from Sanbell, an engineering, planning and landscape architecture firm with offices in Helena and around the West. Jeremy is based in Helena, Danielle and Chris are in Bozeman. Danielle is originally from Helena and Chris used to run the Downtown Bozeman Partnership. They are interested in helping us. If it's of interest to the group, we can have them do a small discussion of what we can do to lay the groundwork for a walking mall capital "plan." Chris works in placemaking studio – working with landscape architecture and planning

Minutes from 6/3/2025

(1) Elected Brent Lashinski, Vicki Lashinski, Savanna Barrett, and Jonathan Aldrich to the Board of Directors 

(2) Adopted bylaws unanimously

(3) Adopted the conflict of interest policy unanimously

(4) Elected Sean Morrison to serve as Secretary unanimously

(5) Elected Dan Bay to serve as Treasurer unanimously

(6) Elected Riley Tubbs to serve as President unanimously

(7) Discussed three different workstreams moving forward: (A) seeking funding and/or a partner to do a capital plan for the walking mall; (B) ongoing maintenance needs; and (C) website / marketing.

(A) On the long-term plan for the walking mall, the group discussed the role planning would serve in leading to funding major upgrades and revisioning. The group also discussed how prior plans, such as the multi-modal study, have addressed the walking mall, but not comprehensively. Commissioner Andy Shirtliff explained the role of planning in seeking funds to execute capital improvements. The group reached some consensus that the Foundation would not likely directly fund planning, but would rather partner with and/or push the City to do planning for the Mall. Additionally, we discussed issues with the Mall's current designation as a right of way, with intermittent parks. It was agreed that this designation should be dealt with as part of the long-term capital plan.

(B) For ongoing maintenance needs, the group identified maintenance priorities, in no particular order:

(i) Trash receptacles -- BID Manager Abigail Dolan says that the BID is planning to purchase additional receptacles and intends to place them on the walking mall. In the past, the BID has avoided replacing the receptacles on the Mall due to ambiguity about responsibility between different City departments. Thus, any ideas and/or suggestions in regards to receptacles for the Mall should be referred to BID. We should stay apprised of the progress on this issue.

(ii) Dead trees -- Ms. Dolan says that Growing Friends is planning to replace at least some of the dead tress on the Mall. This is another issue we should follow-up with Growing Friends to discuss their plans and stay apprised.

(iii) Surface -- the current patchwork of pavement, brick, and other surfaces on the Mall is in very poor shape, creating ADA concerns and tripping hazards. Not sure who we need to raise this issue with at the City, although given the Mall's designation as a right of way, that issue may need to be raised with Transportation Director David Knoepke. 

(iv) Landscaping / weeds -- the parks areas on the Mall are also in sore shape. It was suggested that the City Parks Manager could work with the Foundation to arrange a volunteer day for pulling weeds. Although we also would like to see some regular maintenance by Parks.

(v) Lighting -- this covered a broad range of issues, starting with the City's recent approval of expenditures to fix some of the lights on the Mall. Commissioner Shirtliff said he could try to get more clarity on what the City actually intends to fix. We also discussed the BID's current effort to get approval from building owners for hooking up overhead decorative lights. The BID is going block-by-block to get building owner approval and is working now on the 300 and 400 blocks. They have not yet started on the Mall, but we could try to get buy-in and approval ahead of time. The idea is that lights strung over the Mall would be up year round, while they would be seasonal on the 300 and 400 blocks.

(vi) Unused and/or underused space -- the group discussed unused and underused spaces, including private retail space, such as the Carroll College properties, and public spaces, such as Performance Square. The overall feeling is that there is too much underused and/or unused space. BID has a long-term plan to try and address the Carroll properties. More discussion on this will be needed.

(C) On marketing/website, Sean Morrison noted that he had purchased the domain names for helenawalkingmall.org and walkingmallfoundation.org. Mac Krug at Imagine Design is willing to help build out some of the basic marketing and/or website with Mr. Morrison. Mr. Morrison will create a photo repository through this gmail account (helenawalkingmallfoundation@gmail.com) for people to add photos they have of the Mall.

(8) The Board agreed to hold its next meeting at the Placer on June 8th.

First, I want to renew the call for any public spaces / pedestrian malls that we can use for inspiration and/or instruction on how the Walking Mall should be designated, managed, and maintained. If you have any additional places, please let me know. I will eventually put them into a google doc to share, where we can identify details we like and start making note of the designation (park, street, etc.). At the last meeting, I got the following list (in no particular order):

(1) 3rd Street Promenade - Santa Monica, CA (ROW’s, removable poles, shops, food, coffee. Similar to our Walking Mall)

(2) Pearl Street Mall - Boulder, CO

(3) Church Street Marketplace - Burlington, VT

(4) Pitt Street Mall - Sydney, AU

(5) Bourbon Street - New Orleans, LA (which I think is currently in discussion to be designated as pedestrian only)

(6) Stephen Ave Walk - Calgary, CA

(7) Denver, CO - 16th Street (music/pianos, public transportation, etc.)

(8) Billings, MT - 29th Street (string lights and events on ROW)

(9) Kalispell, MT - Rail Park (they spent $10 million to  tear up the railroad tracks to install a walking path with hopes of flanking it with buildings and businesses)

Second, I would like to start putting together our Form 1023 (application for tax exempt status). This is relatively easy, but I need to confirm the individuals who are willing to serve as Board members. To confirm, I have:

(1) Dan Bay

(2) Sean Morrison

(3) Riley Tubbs

(4) Savannah Barrett

(5) Jonathan Aldrich

(6) Brent Lashinski

(7) Vicki Lashinski

Finally, below are some brief minutes from our last meeting. Please Let me know if I'm missing anything -- I will try to take more formal minutes as we progress:

(1) Discussed the City's issues with using the walking mall for parades. Discussed having a better line of communication with the City and working with the City to address concerns.

(2) Discussed the need to bring a proposal to the City on how the Walking Mall should be designed (i.e., street, right-of-way, park, etc.) (see list of inspiration places above). This is a first step towards identifying and prioritizing infrastructure improvements, such as string lights and any improvements for safety (parade barricades, removable bollards for summer evenings, etc.).

(3) Discussed having the Art Walk folks come to our May meeting.

(4) Discussed having a "trash cleanup day."

(5) Discussed how to address vacancies on the Walking Mall, including the spaces owned by Carroll College.

(6) Had a presentation from the Tour Train, who will be doing school tours in May. Agreed all around that we would like any changes to the Mall to accommodate the Tour Train's continued access. 

I will be sending out another email, at a later date, regarding the next meeting (either April or May).