// DOING A TWO-WAY DOUBLE TAKE

"[T]he street works harder than any other part of downtown. It is the nervous system; it communicates the flavor, the feel, the sights. It is the major point of transaction and communication," wrote Jane Jacobs, the author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities. 

We often overlook the importance of streets, which serve cities as much more than single-function traffic corridors hastily moving cars from one end of the city and back. They often contain (underground) critical utilities like water and sewer. They subdivide land and determine the type of developments that fit on city blocks. Streets are also a public space, determining how citizens and visitors experience the city.

Perhaps the most important function of the 560 miles of streets in Billings is to provide access to property. Streets are the conduits of commerce, helping people access our businesses. It's especially important in our business districts like downtown that our streets help to facilitate commerce by allowing greater and more diverse access to storefronts. One way to do that is by converting downtown streets back to two-ways. Easier navigation, traffic calming, and greater safety are all reasons why many cities are moving back to two-way streets. Tonight, City Council will be discussing further conversion of one-ways to two-ways in our downtown.

One of the cities to recently re-convert one-ways to two-ways is Louisville, KY, which had one-way "couplets" similar to what we see in Billings. In 2011, they converted two of those one-ways back to two-ways. Curious about the impacts of the conversion, researchers at Cal Poly and the University of Louisville decided to study the effects. They were able to measure the changes of the converted two-ways (Brook & 1st) against the unchanged one-ways (2nd & 3rd), which provided a good control, or constant. Essentially, if the converted two-ways saw benefit while the remaining one-ways did not—or benefited to a significantly lesser degree—they could reasonably attribute the changes to the two-way conversion. 

Ultimately, converting to two-way streets proved beneficial by:

• Reducing traffic collisions
• Increasing traffic flow
• Reducing crime
• Increasing property values

The traffic results were both consistent and curious. On the one hand, the data confirmed that two-ways provide a traffic calming effect, slowing speeds, and reducing traffic accidents. However, the data also showed that two-ways increased traffic volume, likely taking traffic off the one ways—contradicting the, "conventional wisdom of traffic engineers who assume that drivers choose the fastest route from point A to point B." (pg. 7)

It was no surprise to us at the Billings Chamber, having practiced CPTED for almost five years, that converting to two-way streets would likely reduce crime. More eyes on the streets through traffic calming and slower speeds increases deterrence. Criminals don't like to be seen and two-ways provide more opportunities for crimes to be observed. Across a number of crime categories, Louisville's converted two-ways experienced a significant decrease in crimes compared to the remaining one-ways. 

(total crimes/month—two-ways highlighted in blue)

(auto thefts/month—two-ways highlighted in blue)

(robberies/month—two-ways highlighted in blue)

When the researchers looked at the impact of two-way conversion on property values, they found average annual percentage growth rates for:

• Brook St (two-way): increased 38.97%
• 1st St (two-way): increased 2.78%
• 2nd St (one-way): decreased 0.38%
• 3rd St (one-way): increased 0.44%

Properties on the recently converted two-way streets had greater increases than those properties on the one-ways. After finding that residential values throughout Louisville were declining during the same time period and, "assuming this is representative of the Louisville market, one can justly surmise that the two-way conversions did impact property values." (pg. 9)

The authors conclude that, "Our empirical analysis shows that conversions can result in busier yet slower streets that have the potential to increase the vitality of an area and promote economic regeneration through fewer traffic collisions, reductions in crime, and increased property values.” (pg. 10)

While we don't have a similarly robust analysis of the one-way to two-way changes in Billings, we see a strong connection to vacancies filled and private investment along N. 30th and N. 29th streets after they were converted to two-ways in 2021, according to information provided by the Downtown Billings Alliance.

Tonight, City Council will be discussing the plan to convert downtown one-ways into two-way streets. They'd previously discussed this topic at their May 13th meeting before delaying it until tonight. The Billings Chamber supports the changes from one-way to two-way noting the positive safety and economic benefits highlighted in the Louisville study and with Billings' recent two-way conversions. 

// BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA - 5:30 p.m. - BILLINGS CITY HALL

In this section, we will include the meeting agenda for you to view. Clicking on the items will take you to more information. No need to read it all, but if something catches your eye, be sure to check it out.

PROCLAMATIONS: Scleroderma Awareness Month - June 

COUNCIL REPORTS: 

ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS - CHRIS KUKULSKI 

PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-PUBLIC HEARING” Agenda Items: 1, 5 and 6 ONLY. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes or as set by the Mayor.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Thorne Run 

1. CONSENT AGENDA -- Separations: 

A. Mayor Cole recommends that Council confirm the following appointments: 1. Tourism BID Board - Billings Hotel and Convention Center (BHCC). Click to View 

B. Bid Awards: 1. W.O. 20-13: King Avenue West and 36th Street West Traffic Signal Improvements. (Opened 5/7/24) Recommend Montana Lines, Inc. Click to View 2. W.O. 24-24: Voelker Pump Station Pressure Reducing Valve. (Opened 5/7/24) Recommend COP Construction, LLC. Click to View 

C. Amendment No. 1, W.O. 24-01, Contract 2: 2024 Sewer Main Replacement; Morrison-Maierle, Inc. Click to View 

D. Contract with Signal of Montana for Library Security Services. Click to View 

E. Purchase of FY25 Solid Waste Refuse Trucks from SWS Equipment, LLC. Click to View 

F. Declaring Surplus Property and authorizing the sale of 300-gallon waste containers to the City of Powell, Wyoming.  Click to View 

G. 2024 High Intensity Drug Traffic Area (HIDTA) award from the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy. Click to View 

H. Donations to Code Enforcement for Graffiti Reward Fund from various donors. Click to View 

I. Donations in support of the "Mobilize the MAGIC City" project from various donors. Click to View 

J. Easement from Billings Public Schools for the Rose Park Trail. Click to View 

K. Preliminary Minor Plat of Broso Valley Park Subdivision, 2nd Filing. *Quasi-Judicial Click to View 

L. Preliminary Minor Subsequent Plat of Les Schwab Subdivision. *Quasi-Judicial Click to View 

M. Final Plat of Annafeld Subdivision, 5th Filing. *Quasi-Judicial Click to View 

N. Resolution authorizing the sale and prescribing the form and terms for the Expanded North 27th Street Refunding Bonds. Click to View 

O. Second/Final Reading Ordinance amending BMCC, Sec. 24-426 Permit for Loading and Unloading by Backing to Curb and Sec. 24-431 Permit for Curb Loading Zones. Click to View 

P. Bills for the Weeks of: 

1. April 22, 2024 Click to View 

2. April 29, 2024 Click to View 

REGULAR AGENDA: 

2. PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION adopting Solid Waste Collection, Disposal, and Landfill Fees for Fiscal Year 2025. Staff recommends approval. 

Click to View 

3. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE FOR ZONE CHANGE 1041: text amendments to the zoning regulations to comply with the elements of SB 245, and adoption of the findings of the 10 review criteria. Zoning Commission recommends approval. Click to View 

4. PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING ORDINANCE FOR ZONE CHANGE 1047: located on the west end of Rimrock Road in Copper Ridge Subdivision, 7th and 8th Filings. Zoning Commission recommends approval and adoption of the 10 review criteria. *Quasi-Judicial. Click to View 

5. BID AWARD: W.O. 23-11: Downtown Two-Way Street Conversion, including all Schedules with Alternate Bs to Montana Lines Inc. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 

6. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING with Yellowstone County for Short Term Detention Facility. Staff recommends approval. Click to View 

PUBLIC COMMENT on “NON-AGENDA ITEMS”. Comments are limited to 3 minutes or as set by the Mayor.

COUNCIL INITIATIVES: 

ADJOURN:

// WATCH THE MEETING ON COMMUNITY 7 TELEVISION

// CITY ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY REPORT

City Administrator Chris Kukulski began the routine of sending a weekly report every Friday to City Council and department heads with the intent to, "communicate the highlights of the past week and any critical issues coming up." The most recent CA Report includes updates on:

• Substance Abuse Connect Behavioral Health Framework Plan
• Youth Court Services 2023 Report
• And much more...

// GET MORE INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Below are some additional public meetings being held this week, along with information about when and where to attend, and what's on the agenda (if one is available).

Tuesday, May 28th

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

11:30 - 1:00 pm @ Miller Building, 1st Floor Conf. 2825 3rd Ave N.

Agenda here.

Wednesday, May 29th

Yellowstone County Board of Planning

6:00 - 9:00 pm @ Miller Building, 1st Floor Conf. 2825 3rd Ave N.

Agenda here.

// THE SQUEAKY WHEEL

// BOARD & COMMISSION OPENINGS

The Mayor's Office is accepting letters of interest to fill the vacancies listed on the city website. For more information on each specific board, visit the city website. City Boards and Commissions are appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by City Council, are advisory only, and members serve without compensation.

Submit applications to: Mayor's Office, PO Box 1178, Billings, MT 59103-1178 NO LATER THAN APRIL 1st .*

BOARD OPENING (SEATS)

Human Relations Commission (2)

REQUIREMENTS

Must live in Billings

* - this has not been updated on the city website.

// IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

A report on the Youth Court Services of the 13th Judicial District, which serves Yellowstone County, was included in the City Administrator's Weekly Report.

// ADDITIONAL BILLINGS CHAMBER RESOURCES

// BUSINESS ADVOCACY SPONSORS