Missoula, MT — A significant redevelopment proposal for the former West Bonner Log Yard, located east of Missoula, could soon bring a broader range of opportunities to the property if the county approves the requested changes. The new owner of the site is seeking approval to consolidate various lots, expand the development into three phases instead of two, and rename the site to Blackfoot Crossing.
According to county planner Jennie Dixon, the project is still in its early stages. “The subdivision was preliminarily approved in 2023 but has not been filed,” Dixon said. “The current owner is proposing a number of changes to the property.”
When the county initially approved the subdivision in 2023, the plan included 27 industrial lots and one residential lot, all set across a 116-acre site that once supported the operations of the Stimson lumber mill. At the time, the project faced some opposition from local residents, primarily due to concerns over infrastructure, with some questioning whether the area could support such extensive industrial development. However, the new owner is promising to address those concerns by incorporating a public sewer and water system as part of the redevelopment.
The latest proposal includes changes that would divide the project into three phases. The first phase would focus on the industrial portion of the property, while Phase 2 would include working lands. The final phase would feature a neighborhood commercial center, helping to diversify the land use in the area and potentially revitalize the space.
As part of the redevelopment, the new owner is requesting to remove several earthen berms that have lined portions of the property for decades. The berms, which were originally put in place by the former subdivider, were intended to separate the log yard from surrounding areas, but the current owner believes their removal will help integrate the development more effectively with the surrounding landscape. “This was the old log yard, and those berms have been there for decades,” explained Jamie Erbacher, a representative of the WGM Group, which is overseeing the project. “The original subdivider had no intention to remove them. But the new owner would like to open the space up and not make it feel like such an isolated development.”
Looking ahead, the project plans to include residential housing on the eastern side of the property. The county is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposal on March 13, 2025, where additional details will be presented. County staff are still reviewing the requested changes, with further discussions expected at the upcoming meeting.
If approved, the redevelopment of the West Bonner Log Yard into Blackfoot Crossing could bring significant change to the area, introducing new commercial and residential spaces alongside the industrial development.
