12.4 Acres in the Center of Missoula May Be For Sale For Development.

The Lolo National Forest proposes selling 12.4 acres of urban public land in Missoula, igniting public debate and a 30-day comment period.

Lolo National Forest announced the plan to sell land currently used as a Forest Service storage facility, signaling a structural shift amid broader agency reorganization. This move is related to consolidation efforts connected to the broader agency reorganization.

The property, located between S. 14th Street West and North Avenue near the Bitterroot Trail pedestrian path, contains 19 structures. Lolo Forest supervisor Benjamin Johnson cited a goal to “consolidate services and storage across Missoula.” The proposal was formally communicated in a July 28 letter, with public comments accepted until September 3. Sale procedures—whether by direct sale or competitive bidding—remain undecided. The reorganization, which includes closing the regional headquarters in Missoula and relocating some functions to six operational centers nationwide, has raised concerns.   Will and Jim Pattiz of the organization More Than Just Parks have created a webpage to help citizens submit comments in opposition to the sale. They argue that once public land is disposed of, it cannot easily be returned to public ownership. Also, the disposal of National Forest land “should require a compelling public benefit, not just administrative convenience.”

Public input is being accepted during the 30-day comment period.

While Montana’s vast public lands often inspire cautious stewardship, selling urban parcels in Missoula could affect local access and agency capacity. Given Montana’s dispersed populations and reliance on federal land management, this consolidation could potentially influence how services and resources are distributed statewide.

Lolo NF proposes selling regional storage facility
By The Missoula Current News – Daily News in Missoula Montana