🌱 Proposed Pool, Library Branch Location + Bird Scooters Return

Hey, neighbors. I'm here with your weekend edition of the Bozeman Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the local information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Warm and smoky with hazy sun. High: 77 Low: 46.
• Saturday: Pleasant with periods of sun. High: 77 Low: 45.

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Here are the top three stories today in Bozeman:

1. The City of Bozeman and the Bozeman School District have agreed to designate a plot of land near Meadowlark Elementary School for a proposed library branch, pool, and recreation center. Both the city commission and school board have approved a memorandum of understanding to use the school district's land at the corner of Durston and Cottonwood roads for the facility. The city plans to develop the project further by identifying a building site, and the proposal will be put to a vote in the fall for funding approval. (Subscription: Bozeman Daily Chronicle)
2. Bird scooters are set to return to Bozeman with new policies aimed at addressing concerns raised by residents. The city transportation department has collaborated with a consultant to propose recommendations for future scooter regulations, focusing on behavior modification and improved accessibility. Changes include requiring riders to take photos of parked scooters, implementing warnings and penalties for improper parking, and establishing a dedicated webpage for residents to directly communicate with Bird. The city also plans to transition to an open-license agreement in 2024, selecting a single micro-mobility operator based on compliance and equity commitments. (Montana Right Now)
3. DevCo, a Washington-based developer, has proposed the North 3rd Apartments, an affordable housing project in Bozeman near the Gallatin County Fairgrounds. The projected development includes 216 rental units with a variety of bedroom options and aims to target households earning around 60 percent of the area's median income. The project, consisting of four-story residential buildings and a clubhouse, is under administrative review, and if approved, construction could begin before winter and last for 18 to 24 months. (Subscription: Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

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Today and tomorrow in Bozeman:

Friday, May 19

• Toddler & Preschooler Storytime At Bozeman Public Library (10:15 AM)

Saturday, May 20

• Mitchell Tenpenny At The Elm (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Thinking of dipping your toes into the housing market? Check out the list of open houses happening this week in the Bozeman area at the link. (Bozeman Patch)
• Montana State University has received a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support a five-year, statewide research project on prescribed burns. The study will utilize autonomous systems and optical sensors, including automated drones with hyperspectral cameras, to collect data on fuel types, smoke chemistry, and the social impact of prescribed burns. The university is also involved in another grant aimed at planning a regional ecosystem for autonomous systems in collaboration with other institutions. (Subscription: Bozeman Daily Chronicle)
• Smoke from Canadian wildfires caused by a weather front from Canada has filled the Gallatin Valley, leading to an air quality alert for Gallatin County. The alert warns that the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, with recommendations for people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children to limit exertion. (Subscription: Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.