Ronan launches downtown master plan

With the selection of KLJ Engineering to complete a downtown Ronan master plan and an economic development plan, it’s an exciting time for Ronan. The process is financed in part by a $50,000 Main Street Montana grant.

According to a press release, the firm was selected after a competitive bidding process that included several qualified bids and a diverse selection committee that included Ronan City Council representatives, members of the Ronan Revitalization Committee, and Mission West Community Development Partners staff.

Based out of Bismarck, N.D., the firm has an office in Kalispell and specializes in funding resources, land development, oil and gas, power, public works, and aviation, environmental, right-of-way, telecommunications, transportation, and water projects, according to a press release from MWCD, which coordinated the search.

“We are excited to partner with KLJ Engineering on this important project,” Ronan Mayor Chris Adler said. “Their expertise and experience will be invaluable as we work to create a vibrant and thriving downtown.”

“We worked really hard selecting KLJ Engineering; and we think they’re going to be a good fit for Ronan,” added Heather Knudsen-Walter, MWCD executive director. “They’re looking to bring in input from the community as a whole, to create an opportunity for Ronan to really evaluate the attributes and characteristics that are most beneficial and how can we capitalize on those and just revitalize the downtown. ”

“One of the things I really appreciated (about KJL), and one of the things that can be challenging in general, is creating this big project and coming up with this great vision. But then it’s how do you fund the next steps?” Knudsen-Walter said. “I really liked that this firm included actionable real objectives and deliverables.”

Whitney Leigakos, chair of the Ronan Revitalization Committee agreed. KLJ Engineering is familiar with Main Street Montana, which gave Ronan $50,000 for a downtown master plan. KLJ also has experience with tribal nations and rural towns.

KLJ “thinks outside the box,” Leigakos said, and brings to the table “wonderful ways of dealing with public information.”

Examples Leigakos gave included a “meeting in a box,” which is an actual box for community leaders that contains a vision board, maps, information about surveys, etc. That way, Leigakos, said, “you could do a pop-up meeting anywhere – at the brewery or at the ballpark.”

Another is a pop-up incentive, such as “we’ll buy you a cup of coffee at Dobson Creek if you’ll complete the survey,” Leigakos said.

Other ideas were an interactive online map to help community members “stick” a digital pin in an area in Ronan that is marshy or would make a good skatepark or bear’s travel route. That solution could generate lots of good local intel, she noted.

Other smaller projects of Ronan Revitalization, a sub-committee of the Ronan Chamber of Commerce, include a pocket park at the intersection of 4th and Main and a biking cooperative to expand on the annual Pedal to Plate bicycle adventure. To join the committee, call Leigakos at 406-833-0570.

The master plan and economic development strategic plan are expected to be completed within 12 months. The city and KLJ Engineering will host a series of community meetings throughout the planning process to gather input from residents and stakeholders. The first is slated for July 17-18, when the KLJ team will visit the community.

As the process gets underway, Ronan residents can look forward to text alerts for pop-up meetings, open houses, e-blasts from the city, snapshots, and children’s activities where parents can find out what’s happening with the downtown Ronan masterplan.