Organizers in Uptown Butte are on a mission to revitalize the neighborhood and its local businesses by encouraging property owners to contribute funds to clean up and promote the area. They have been actively engaging with property owners door-to-door to garner support for their efforts to bring more activity to uptown, fill vacant retail spaces, and create a vibrant community hub for events and live music.
Shanna Adams, co-owner of the Finlen Hotel and one of the organizers, believes that Uptown has the potential to become one of the most amazing downtown areas thanks to its historic buildings and rich history. The organizers are proposing the establishment of a Business Improvement District, which would involve property owners paying extra in local property taxes to fund initiatives such as beautification, street maintenance, and promotional marketing for businesses in the district.
Despite being the largest town in Montana without an improvement district, advocates in Butte see forming one as essential in providing Uptown with the necessary tools and resources to thrive. The organizers need signed petitions from at least 60% of property owners within the proposed district to move forward with the plan.
Celeste Johnston, owner of the Jade Hair Salon, is among those who support the initiative. She agrees that Uptown Butte could benefit from some love to attract more people to the area and support local businesses. Johnston views the creation of a Business Improvement District as a positive step towards enhancing the overall look and vibe of Uptown.
Organizers are aiming to collect the required petitions by the end of July. Following this, a county commission vote will be necessary to finalize the establishment of the district.