Missoula’s Old Sawmill District sees drastic changes as development continues
The Old Sawmill District off Missoula’s Wyoming Street is undergoing big changes.
The area was home to a working mill for nearly a century and went through a voluntary cleanup plan, developed in coordination with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Construction is in high gear right now as developers work to reshape the neighborhood.
“It’s really surprising how fast it came up. It’s like last week none of it was here,” said Missoula resident Rhiannon Chaffin, pointing to a building soon to house apartments and office space. She walks by the area every Monday on her way to a weekly appointment.
She’ll see more change. The area is far from done. A timeline from the development company, owned by Ed and Leslie Weatherby, has a construction plan over the next three years with a total of 650 to 700 new residential units.
It’s next to Silver Park, a popular area for dog walkers and runners, so the future development has some residents excited and others concerned.
“It’s beautiful architecture. The colors really stand out, and this used to be really bare, and it’s pretty to look at something when you walk on the trail,” said Chaffin. “With new construction and the trail I feel like it’s going to be a better housing opportunity.”