Biking in Missoula (Missoulian) Last Saturday I was riding my bike back from the Griz game and I just happened to have my camera on me so I took some photos of what I saw.
Now, there’s a trail that runs right through Missoula and follows the angle of the slant streets. I’ve been using this trail for more than 10 years, and used to ride it everyday, summer and winter (I had no car here from 2005 to 2008).
The thing is, however, there’s a lot of empty and rubbish-filled places along that trail. Could those areas be used for something, are they being used for something now? It sure doesn’t seem like it, take a look.
Now, there’s a trail that runs right through Missoula and follows the angle of the slant streets. I’ve been using this trail for more than 10 years, and used to ride it everyday, summer and winter (I had no car here from 2005 to 2008).
The thing is, however, there’s a lot of empty and rubbish-filled places along that trail. Could those areas be used for something, are they being used for something now? It sure doesn’t seem like it, take a look.
Old Areas of Missoula
First of all, this area is around that large mural that some of you might have seen:
Next, this area is located near the Loyola Sacred Heart High School football field:
That thing is hardly ever used, but I do see it watered a lot. Now, I’m not worried about how much money that Christian school is wasting on water, I’m more concerned about this huge amount of land that could actually be used for something and perhaps even produce taxes. I want that land to work for us.
This area is located around S. 2nd Street W. in Missoula. It's near the Loyola Sacred Heart Football Field and up the trail from the baseball stadium.
As you can see from these pictures, right now that land is doing absolutely nothing:
First of all, there are these train tracks running right through the middle of town that are never used. Well, scratch that – I did see a single locomotive on those tracks once back in 2007 or so. I guess they do have to test them from time to time to see if they still work.
A better idea might be to take them out and get rid of the unused tracks that are causing tire problems for people that drive over them numerous times each day. (or would that hurt car repair shops that rely on that income?)
Now, to give you a better idea of this eyesore, here are some long shots pointing down those tracks and at the many derelict industrial buildings just sitting there:
A better idea might be to take them out and get rid of the unused tracks that are causing tire problems for people that drive over them numerous times each day. (or would that hurt car repair shops that rely on that income?)
Now, to give you a better idea of this eyesore, here are some long shots pointing down those tracks and at the many derelict industrial buildings just sitting there:
Right now some of that land and some of those derelict buildings are being used. I heard someone playing the radio loudly in one last weekend, but that was about it. So who’s using this shithole? Pro Build, a company that I guess needs lots of empty space to store construction stuff I didn’t see.
Hey, maybe they’re flush with money and could care less about costs, but I doubt it. Do they need that much space? Could Missoula offer them a deal to get that space so we could put it to better use? Because I’m sorry, but right now the use for that land is pitiful.
They also seem to be a great place to store junk, as you can see from this photo:
Hey, maybe they’re flush with money and could care less about costs, but I doubt it. Do they need that much space? Could Missoula offer them a deal to get that space so we could put it to better use? Because I’m sorry, but right now the use for that land is pitiful.
They also seem to be a great place to store junk, as you can see from this photo:
Looks like a lot of shit to me, but I guess some of it could have some use. Oh, and don’t think a lot of that is used too often – just take a look at this bus that probably hasn’t moved in a decade or more:
Maybe that’s some private companies dumping ground. Can’t the city offer to buy the land – sorry, sue them for it – so we could use it for something better?
This seems like an opportunity to me, one that Missoula should look into. But then I’m not an elected official, so what do I know?
This seems like an opportunity to me, one that Missoula should look into. But then I’m not an elected official, so what do I know?
