Great Falls' Independent News Source
The city is moving forward with plans to temporarily suspend its Design Review Board in an effort to relieve some stress on the planning staff. City Manager Greg Doyon is requesting a six month hiatus for the DRB and explained his reasoning during the Oct. 16 City Commission work session. City recommending temporary halt to Design Review Board in effort
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Visitors to Cascade County spent about $203.8 million at local restaurants, bars, hotels, gas stations, retailers and more, according to data from 2015-2016. Bed tax collections in the Great Falls area have also been trending up since 2007, according to Dax Schieffer, director of the non-profit Voices of Tourism. Schieffer spoke to a group of hoteliers, business owners and civic leaders
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During their Tuesday meeting, City Commissioners approved the annexation of about 20.5 acres for a NeighborWorks Great Falls project. The undeveloped land along 20th Street South and 24th Avenue South will be used for an 85-lot subdivision, including at least 50 homes that will be dedicated to the NWGF Mutual Self-Help Program. City to consider annexation for 85-lot NWGF development on
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The Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe is getting ready to open in early November in the space formerly occupied by the Pickle Barrel at 1500 9th Ave. S. Nathaniel and Reba Cunningham have been working to clean up the space that’s been vacant for about seven years and are bringing back some of the favorites from the old Double Barrel
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City staff are recommending suspension of the Design Review Board to see it helps reduce the workload in the planning and community development department and if it helps streamline the oft criticized development review process. “It’s an extraordinary proposal,” City Manager Greg Doyon said Monday when he told DRB members he was making the recommendation to the City Commission during
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North 40 Outfitters was approved for all of its requested variances for the former Kmart and Big Bear property during Thursday’s city Board of Adjustment meeting. The board had a quorum since the City Commission appointed Aspen Northerner and Joe McMillen during their Oct. 2 meeting. One BOA member, Krista Smith, recused herself from the matter since she’s married to
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406 Arena was approved for two special use permits during Thursday’s county Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. Jessica and Dusty Fryberger purchased the 180-acre property off U.S. 89 in Vaughn a few months ago and have been working to restore and improve the property that had been steadily declining, according to supporters of the project on Thursday. Now that their
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The Block The group that created Enbär is launching a new “fun and exciting place for downtown.” The Block is coming to the former Cory Block Bakery space on 5th Street South. Mike Hallahan, chef at Enbar, will also be the chef for The Block and said the plan is lunch and dinner with “crazy grilled cheese,” scratch made sandwiches,
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There are two vacancies on the city’s Board of Adjustment/Appeals and without filling those spots, North 40 Outfitters’ request for a variance can’t move forward. Three residents applied for those vacancies and the City Commission is being asked to make the appointments during tonight’s meeting. The applicants are Joe McMillen, Aspen Northerner and Kelly Buschmeyer. City staff has interviewed all
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Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney will join NeighborWorks Great Falls and GMD Development to break ground on an affordable housing development at 11 a.m. Sept. 28. Rockcress Commons will be 124 unit apartment complex near Benefis Health System and Great Falls College MSU. The complex will include one, two and three bedroom units divided over seven buildings with an additional community
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