Fowler Avenue Connection

Phase one, the north section from Oak to Durston is currently expected to go to construction in 2026. Phase two from Durston to Babcock in 2027. Phase three Babcock to Huffine in 2028. The intersection of Huffine and Fowler could potentially start in 2029. All dates and timing are subject to change.

Typically, the City does not build fences along private property. At this time there are no plans to build fencing along the private property boundaries.

The City’s Parks Department anticipates to begin master planning for an “anchor route” (please refer to the Parks, Recreation, and Active Transportation (PRAT) Plan) along existing and future portions of the greenway from Bozeman Pond Park north to East Valley Center. An additional anchor route has been identified in the PRAT plan west of the Fowler corridor.

At this time, we intend to continue the shared-use paths on either side of Fowler between Durston and Oak. In addition, we hope to use mounds, topography, trees, and vegetation in lieu of fences in order to buffer the road from the adjacent neighborhoods. Those detailed design type discussions will take place during the 60% and 90% design phases.

Between the Durston and Babcock section, we expect to preserve approximately 150 of the existing 200 trees. In addition, we will be adding 250 new trees to the corridor.

During the 60% and 90% design phases, our project team will dive deeper into design, examining and refining details such as intersection crossings, boulevard trees, stormwater, and all the fine details required prior to construction.

We don’t expect, even in our most aggressive traffic projections, to require any more capacity than what is currently proposed.

There are two main sources of funding for this project. The first primary source is street impact fees. These impact fees are paid by developers the time they pull building permits. Those fees are determined based on traffic impact demand their development is expected to generate. A stipulation of the fee is that those funds can only be used for “capacity expanding projects,” such as the Fowler Avenue Connection. The other source of funding for this project is from the “arterial and collector district” assessment fee. This is an assessment fee already established on the property owner’s tax bill. No general fund property taxes will go towards paying for this project.

Only the “arterial and collector district” portion of your tax assessment will be used to complete this project. Primary funding will be through Street Impact Fees paid by development. No property taxes nor Street Maintenance District funds will be used. 

The city’s current 5-yr Capital Improvement Plan for the Arterial and Collector District is balanced without need to increase rates specifically for this project.

There are three main private property owners along the corridor that the City is currently working with on right-of-way acquisition. We have been in discussion with these owners for the last two years and those discussions will continue until all parties can come to agreeable terms. The city has no intention of forcing these parcels to be annexed and is not aware of any formal plans for development in those private parcels.

There is a City owned parcel to the east of Fowler just south of Oak. At this time there have been no commitments on that parcel development. In the past, the City Commission has instructed staff to investigate potential affordable housing options for that location but no direction has been decided. Any development of this lot would be guided by community engagement focused specifically on potential affordable housing options.

In the next phase of the project we are going to evaluate the secondary impacts of these connections. This includes looking at whether traffic control, such as four way stop signs or traffic calming, such as curb extensions or traffic circles, would be needed.