Downtown Master Plan meeting set for Tuesday

The company drafting a downtown master plan for Havre is meeting in Havre City Hall in the council chambers Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

“Representatives of High Plains Architects will provide an update on their work developing a master plan to revitalize Havre’s downtown,” a release announcing the meeting said. “The community is invited to share their ideas, ask question and provide input to the draft plan. This meeting is critical for any changes or ideas to be considered into the final plan. The meeting is a great opportunity for the community to participate in the final step to the development of Havre’s Downtown Master Plan.”

The organizers have stressed that participating in the planning process is crucial.

“This is our community, the future is in our hands — your voice matters,” a release said. “Hope you are able to join us.”

High Plains Architects has been hired to design a downtown master plan and has previously held informational and community meetings in Havre.

After the great public turnout and participation at April’s public meeting, High Plains Architects had lots of ideas and input to proceed with the development of Havre’s Master Plan.

Work to develop a master plan for Havre’s downtown area has been in the works for several years.

Downtown Havre Matters! was formed to try to find ways to improve the area, and one of the first steps was to apply to the Montana Department of Commerce’s Montana Main Street Program which provides a range of services and assistance to communities striving to enhance economic and business vitality while maintaining local historic integrity, quality of life and sense of place. The program offers technical assistance and expertise to member communities and awards competitive grant funding to communities actively working on downtown revitalization, economic development and historic preservation.

Havre was approved in 2020 as a member of the program, which started in 2005 and now includes 35 communities with Ronan the most recent addition.

After being approved as a member, Havre applied for a grant to develop a downtown master plan.

The plan is being funded in part by the Hill County Community Foundation, Montana Main Street Program and the Big Sky Trust Fund Program.

The driving forces behind the plan have been the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, Bear Paw Development Corp., the city of Havre and Downtown Havre Matters!

Part of the goal of creating a master plan is strengthening place identity, which builds communities by making memorable and meaningful places, the release said. A special experience or something unique to Havre is one goal of the Master Plan development.

Places that are authentic and distinctive add value to communities — historic buildings, a unique art scene like Havre’s Art Alley, specific cultural attributes like Montana Actors’ Theatre and fun shops and restaurants to explore.