The Downtown Billings Partnership (DBP) Board has re-reviewed this TIF funding request from the Historic Montana Avenue Association (HMAA) in coordination with the City of Billings Public Works Department, Montana Department of Transportation and the Downtown Billings Alliance, and recommends the City Council approve up to $20,000 from Downtown Urban Renewal tax increment finance district funds to upgrade (4) pedestrian crossings along Montana Avenue with pedestrian-activated, rectangular, rapid flashing beacons (PA-RRFB). Actual expenditure will be based upon 100% of the actual costs incurred for the pedestrian crossing installation.
 

The application was vetted by DBP and City staff, and the project funding recommendation was presented to the DBP Board at its meeting on May 23, 2025. The DBP Board made its recommendation to City Council to fund the project at that meeting. The project is planned as a followup to the first PA-RRFB that was installed in 2021 along the corridor to increase the safety of pedestrians crossing Montana Avenue and prepare for a larger street reconfiguration project of Montana Avenue in coordination with the City and MDT. Local businesses and users of the Montana Avenue corridor have reported a difference in pedestrian crossing safety with the single crossing addition. The future project would follow the recommendations of the City's 2019/2020 Downtown Traffic Study by reducing the travel lanes to two, re-configuring parking, improving crosswalks (this effort is part of that), and looking to add a bike lane. Currently, Montana Avenue businesses and visitors are dealing with vehicles traveling at high rates of speed, three lanes of traffic to cross, and unlit crossing zones for pedestrians. The additional locations are under final evaluation, but are expected to include: Montana Avenue and North 26th Street; Montana Avenue and North 24th Street; Montana Avenue and North 23rd Street; and Montana Avenue and North 22nd Street.

The DBP Board and HMAA support the project and found it was a strong match for accessing urban renewal funds because:

• It adds an important piece of public safety infrastructure to the Montana Avenue Corridor
• It is designed to reduce the rate of vehicle speeds when pedestrians want to cross
• It will improve walkability for the Montana Avenue district
• It provides a greater sense of safety for visitors and Billings residents on Montana Avenue
• It aligns with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design practices promoting safe environments
• It may reduce the threat of vehicle accidents along Montana Avenue 
• The application aligns with elements/goals of the DBA Strategic Plan (may be viewed through this link https://downtownbillings.com/about/about-the-dba/), City TIF Policy, MCA, and the North 27th
• It conforms to the 27th Street District Urban Renewal Plan.

The DBP Board and HMAA is recommending 100% TIF funding towards this safety improvement because it is purely public infrastructure and traffic/pedestrian safety related. There was some discussion of a desire for some sort of other funding match for the project, but it was ultimately decided that this was a significant benefit for the area and met the District's goals. If this request is approved by the Council, its outcome will benefit the public where pedestrians feel safer, accidents may be reduced, and businesses can continue to thrive. 

 

These pedestrian improvements benefit the entire community. Whether a resident or visitor is driving or walking the Montana Avenue corridor, these improvements will make navigating the area safer and add to the City's goal of making this area a destination for locals and visitors alike. 

City Council may:

• Approve the recommendation from the DBP Board for the expenditure of these TIF funds consistent with some elements/goals of the DBA Strategic Plan, North 27th Street Urban Renewal Plan, City TIF Policy and MCA, or;
• Modify the recommendation from the DBP Board for the expenditure of these TIF funds before taking action, or;
• Disapprove the recommendation from the DBP Board for the expenditure of these TIF funds. If the Council chooses not to approve this TIF application, the HMAA, DBP and City will have to find other sources of funds to install this pedestrian safety infrastructure.

The DBP FY26 Budget has capacity for this project under its development incentives funds. The small allocation for this project and the ongoing adjustments of timing of payments for other projects, makes this project feasible during the FY26 budget cycle.