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Item 1.D.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 04/24/2023 |
| Title: | Accept the Montana Main Street Impact Grant on behalf of the Downtown Billings Business Improvement District (BID) |
| Presented by: | Wyeth Friday |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review | Not Applicable |
RECOMMENDATION
The Downtown Billings Business Improvement District (BID) recommends the City Council accept the $40,000 Montana Main Street Impact Grant for development of a light bike trail in downtown Billings on behalf of the Downtown Billings BID.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Montana Main Street Impact Grant was awarded to the Downtown Billings Business Improvement District (BID) on February 24, 2023 in the amount of $40,000. The Downtown Billings BID has committed $10,000 in matching funds and in-kind donations. The Montana Main Street Impact Grant is intended to support Montana Main Street communities’ need for implementation dollars for projects to activate spaces and execute concrete ideas for downtown revitalization.
The Downtown Billings BID applied for the funds to complete the Downtown Billings “LightBike Trail”. The Downtown Billings “LightBike Trail” is an art installation dedicated to improving public safety and visitorship and includes a digital and printed map of the installation. The LightBike Trail meanders through the alleys of downtown Billings, with each alley location including a 3-D bicycle, lit with programmable LED light wheels. Each LightBike is accompanied by a mural created by a local artist. The LightBike Trail currently has four bikes and two murals installed with seven additional locations identified throughout downtown Billings.
The concept of the LightBike Trail was intended to create a destination of the alleyways in Billings by incorporating light and art in a way that increases the perception of safety in an alley that would otherwise be considered dark, dirty, and potentially dangerous. The locations that have been completed with a LightBike and mural have been shown to have an increased number of people visiting the site, remain clean of general litter and waste and provide a safer environment through these and other factors. These metrics are provided through property owner testimony, social media use of the hashtag #LightBikeTrail, and Downtown Billings BID Street Team work plan reports.
The Downtown Billings BID applied for the funds to complete the Downtown Billings “LightBike Trail”. The Downtown Billings “LightBike Trail” is an art installation dedicated to improving public safety and visitorship and includes a digital and printed map of the installation. The LightBike Trail meanders through the alleys of downtown Billings, with each alley location including a 3-D bicycle, lit with programmable LED light wheels. Each LightBike is accompanied by a mural created by a local artist. The LightBike Trail currently has four bikes and two murals installed with seven additional locations identified throughout downtown Billings.
The concept of the LightBike Trail was intended to create a destination of the alleyways in Billings by incorporating light and art in a way that increases the perception of safety in an alley that would otherwise be considered dark, dirty, and potentially dangerous. The locations that have been completed with a LightBike and mural have been shown to have an increased number of people visiting the site, remain clean of general litter and waste and provide a safer environment through these and other factors. These metrics are provided through property owner testimony, social media use of the hashtag #LightBikeTrail, and Downtown Billings BID Street Team work plan reports.
STAKEHOLDERS
The “LightBike Trail” has received commitments from 11+ property owners to allow a LightBike and mural to be installed on their buildings. These property owners are committed to provide the power required to light the LED LightBikes. The general traveling public in Downton Billings and visitors for downtown events are all expected to benefit from the installation of the LightBikes and murals.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Accept the grant funds on behalf of the Downtown Billings BID for the LightBike Trail installations; or,
- Do not accept the grant funds on behalf of the Downtown Billings BID for the LightBike Trail installations. No accepting the grant funds would mean the LightBike Trail installation would not occur and the Downtown BID would have to look for another funding source for the project.
FISCAL EFFECTS
There are no fiscal impacts to the City for accepting the grant funds on behalf of the Downtown Billings BID. The BID is using $10,000 of its own funds to match the $40,000 grant.