Downtown roundabout draws petition and calls for more local input, city urges contact with state agency

A group of downtown business owners and a petitioner with more than 1,200 signatures urged the Belgrade City Council on June 1 to give local stakeholders a greater voice in the proposed downtown roundabout.

Riley McDonald, owner of Front 5 Architecture and building owner at 11 East Main, told the council the petition reflects widespread opposition to the presented roundabout option and asked the council to make the project "a community-based decision," seek additional meetings and consider a vote. McDonald said downtown is about bringing people to businesses and that the current design and outreach have not given downtown property owners adequate representation.

City Manager Cardwell responded that staff has been engaging with the Belgrade Chamber and local businesses, that the project has had "way more than 2 meetings" over more than two years and that multiple design iterations exist. He emphasized that the intersection in question is on a state highway under Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) authority, saying the city does not have the ability to unilaterally dictate the design. Cardwell encouraged residents to contact MDT and the state highway commission with concerns and said the city will continue to advocate for community preferences while working as a partner with the state.

No formal action on the roundabout was recorded at the meeting; city staff said they will continue outreach and provide additional opportunities for downtown businesses to discuss the proposal.